How Did Mandhana and Shree Charani Lead India to a Huge Victory Over England?

Nottingham, June 28 (NationPress) In a stunning display of skill, stand-in captain Smriti Mandhana notched her inaugural century in T20 cricket, while debutant left-arm spinner N Shree Charani took four wickets, leading India to a resounding victory over England by 97 runs in the first T20I, marking their most significant defeat to date.

Mandhana became the first female Indian cricketer to achieve a century across all formats, scoring 112 runs, which is now the highest score in Women’s T20I for India, eclipsing the previous record of 103 held by regular captain Harmanpreet Kaur. India amassed a formidable total of 210/5 in their allotted 20 overs.

In response, England struggled and were dismissed for just 113 in 14.5 overs, with Shree Charani claiming an impressive 4-12 in just 3.5 overs. Spinner Deepti Sharma (2-32) and Radha Yadav (2-15) provided solid support, contributing to one of India’s finest victories against England.

After being invited to bat first by England’s captain Nat Sciver-Brunt, India started strong with Mandhana and her opening partner Shafali Verma adding 77 runs for the first wicket. Although Shafali fell for 20, Mandhana continued to dominate, reaching her century and propelling the team to a significant total.

With regular captain Harmanpreet Kaur resting due to a precautionary head injury, vice-captain Mandhana took charge in her absence.

Her innings of 112 off 62 balls, featuring 15 boundaries and 3 sixes, helped India to their highest T20I total against England. This century marked the 14th instance of Mandhana crossing the triple-digit threshold in her career, including 11 in ODIs and 2 in Test matches. She is also the second Indian woman to score a T20 century, following Harmanpreet Kaur.

Mandhana received great support from Harleen Deol, who narrowly missed her half-century with 43 runs. Together, they established a substantial 94-run partnership for the second wicket, setting India up for a remarkable total.

Mandhana completed her half-century in just 27 balls (4x8, 6x2) and reached three figures off 57 balls, hitting 14 boundaries and 3 sixes along the way. Despite Jamimah Rodriques not contributing to the score, Mandhana ensured India posted an impressive total.

While chasing the massive target, England found themselves in a precarious position right from the first over, with Amanjot Kaur dismissing Sophia Dunkley for just 7. Deepti Sharma made an immediate impact, capturing Danni Wyatt-Hodge on her first ball, leading England to slump to 9/2.

Although Nat Sciver-Brunt and Tammy Beaumont attempted to stabilize the innings with a 49-run partnership, the loss of Beaumont for 10, followed by early exits of Amy Jones (1) and Alice Capsey (5), left England at 102/7.

Skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt continued to fight, reaching her fifty off 31 balls before being dismissed for 66 off 42 balls (4x10), as England collapsed for 113, just one run more than Mandhana’s individual score.

Shree Charani’s pivotal wickets of Capsey, Ecclestone, Nat Sciver-Brunt, and Lauren Bell dismantled England's middle and lower order.

This victory gives India a 1-0 lead in the five-match T20 series, followed by three ODIs.

Brief scores:

India Women: 210/5 in 20 overs (Smriti Mandhana 112, Harleen Deol 43; Lauren Bell 3-27) defeated England Women: 113 all out in 14.5 overs (Nat Sciver-Brunt 66; Shree Charani 4-12, Deepti Sharma 2-32, Radha Yadav 2-15) by 97 runs.