Richa Ghosh's 68 off 36 not enough as India lose Women's T20 WC warm-up to England by 5 runs
Synopsis
Richa Ghosh's 68 off 36 balls was one of the great T20 fightbacks — nine fours, two sixes, a strike-rate of 188.89, and India needing just six off three balls. Then came the stumping. England's five-run warm-up win at Cardiff is a warning for India ahead of their 14 June opener against Pakistan at Edgbaston.
Key Takeaways
England beat India by five runs in a 2026 Women's T20 World Cup warm-up at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff on 10 June .
Richa Ghosh scored a stunning 68 off 36 balls (SR: 188.89) with 9 fours and 2 sixes but was stumped off Linsey Smith in the final over.
Amy Jones top-scored for England with 64 ; Nat Sciver-Brunt added 57 and Danielle Gibson hit 30* off 12 to push England to 171/6 .
Linsey Smith was England's best bowler with 3 for 42 ; Shreyanka Patil was India's pick with 2 for 29 .
India face Pakistan in their tournament opener at Edgbaston on 14 June ; England take on Sri Lanka on 12 June .
Richa Ghosh produced a stunning 68 off 36 balls in a near-miraculous chase, but India fell agonisingly short by five runs in their 2026 Women's T20 World Cup warm-up match against England at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff, on Wednesday, 10 June. England posted 171/6 and bowled India out for 166 in 19.5 overs to take the pre-tournament confidence booster.
England Build a Competitive Total
India's bowlers kept England in check during the early overs, aided by a rain interruption that broke the batting side's momentum. However, Nat Sciver-Brunt found her touch in the middle overs, crafting a composed 57 alongside wicketkeeper-batter Amy Jones, who top-scored with a fluent 64. The duo each struck eight boundaries, laying a solid platform.
The innings shifted into a higher gear at the death when Danielle Gibson blazed 30 not out off just 12 balls, including four boundaries and England's only six, to propel the total past 170. For India, Shreyanka Patil was the standout bowler with figures of 2 for 29, while Shafali Verma chipped in with 1 for 18. India will, however, be concerned about conceding 43 runs in the final three overs.
India's Chase Unravels Early
Chasing 172, India's top order struggled to build any meaningful partnerships. Shafali Verma made a brisk 13 before Issy Wong rattled her off-stump. Smriti Mandhana fell cheaply to Linsey Smith, and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur could manage only 17 before departing, while Yastika Bhatia added just 15.
Bharti Fulmali (18) and Radha Yadav (16) attempted to stabilise the innings, but wickets fell at regular intervals. Charlie Dean struck twice in quick succession, removing Shreyanka Patil and Kranti Gaud, to leave India in deep trouble.
Richa Ghosh's Counterattack Falls Just Short
With the chase seemingly lost, Richa Ghosh launched a breathtaking counterattack. Playing with trademark audacity, she capitalised on wayward deliveries from Issy Wong and Lauren Filer, smashing nine fours and two sixes at a strike-rate of 188.89. Her 33-run stand with Radha Yadav off just 19 balls rekindled India's hopes.
With 17 runs needed off the final over, Richa struck a four and a six off Linsey Smith to bring the equation down to a gettable six runs from three balls. But on the very next delivery, she was stumped by Alice Capsey off Smith, ending India's last realistic hope. Smith finished with 3 for 42 and Gibson took 2 for 17 as India were bowled out for 166 in 19.5 overs.
What's Next for Both Teams
England now shift focus to their 2026 Women's T20 World Cup opener against Sri Lanka at Edgbaston on 12 June, buoyed by this confidence-building win. India, meanwhile, face a high-stakes clash against Pakistan at the same venue on 14 June — a match where the top order will need to find form quickly if the side is to avoid another early collapse.
Point of View
But losing a warm-up from a position where Richa Ghosh had reduced the target to six off three balls will sting. The middle order — Harmanpreet, Yastika, Fulmali — contributed a combined 50 runs, which is nowhere near enough in a 172-run chase. Richa's brilliance papered over structural cracks that Pakistan will look to exploit on 14 June. The bowling attack conceding 43 in the last three overs is an equally urgent concern. Warm-ups are results-neutral, but India's coaching staff will know this performance exposed two persistent vulnerabilities simultaneously.
NationPress
9 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the result of the India vs England Women's T20 World Cup warm-up match?
England beat India by five runs in the 2026 Women's T20 World Cup warm-up at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff on 10 June. England posted 171/6 and bowled India out for 166 in 19.5 overs.
How did Richa Ghosh perform in the match?
Richa Ghosh scored a blistering 68 off 36 balls, hitting nine fours and two sixes at a strike-rate of 188.89. She nearly won the match for India but was stumped off Linsey Smith in the final over with India needing six runs from three balls.
Who were the top performers for England?
Amy Jones top-scored with 64 and Nat Sciver-Brunt contributed 57, with both hitting eight boundaries each. Danielle Gibson's cameo of 30 not out off 12 balls in the death overs pushed England past 170. Linsey Smith was the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 42.
When do India and England play their first Women's T20 World Cup matches?
India face Pakistan at Edgbaston on 14 June 2026 in their tournament opener. England begin their campaign against Sri Lanka at the same venue on 12 June 2026.
What are India's main concerns heading into the tournament?
India's top order — including Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur, and Yastika Bhatia — collectively underperformed, leaving Richa Ghosh to chase near-impossible odds. The bowling side also conceded 43 runs in the final three overs, flagging death-bowling concerns ahead of the Pakistan clash.
