Mandhana Earns Player of the Match for Century

NOTTINGHAM: Smriti Mandhana’s impressive century, coupled with Shree Charani’s outstanding four-wicket performance, propelled India to a dominant 97-run victory over England in the first T20I of the five-match series at Trent Bridge on Saturday.

England’s captain, Nat Sciver-Brunt, elected to field first, a decision that proved unfavorable as the Indian team amassed a significant total of 210/5 in their 20 overs, largely due to Mandhana’s exceptional century.

Mandhana and the returning Shafali Verma (22) provided India with a solid foundation, establishing a 77-run opening partnership before Verma was dismissed in the ninth over.

Harleen Deol then joined the Indian captain, and together they strengthened the visitors’ position.

Mandhana and Deol contributed 94 runs for the second wicket in just 45 balls, until Deol was dismissed by Lauren Bell in the 16th over. Deol scored 43 runs from 23 balls, including seven boundaries.

Smriti Mandhana then participated in brief partnerships with Richa Ghosh (12) and Amanjot Kaur before being dismissed by Sophie Ecclestone in the final over.

She was India’s highest scorer with 112 runs from 62 balls, featuring 15 fours and three sixes.

Mandhana was named Player of the Match for her match-winning innings.

Bell was England’s most effective bowler, claiming three wickets for 27 runs in her four overs, while Em Arlott and Ecclestone each secured one wicket.

In pursuit of a challenging 211-run target, the home team’s batting lineup collapsed, scoring only 113 runs in 14.5 overs, falling short by 97 runs, marking their largest defeat in women’s T20Is in terms of runs.

Captain Sciver-Brunt fought valiantly for the hosts with a resilient half-century, scoring a team-high 66 runs from 42 balls, including 10 boundaries.

Apart from her, only Arlott (12) and Tammy Beaumont (10) reached double figures, highlighting the struggles of the England batters against India’s spin-heavy bowling attack.

Left-arm spinner Charani spearheaded India’s bowling attack with four wickets, conceding only 12 runs in 3.5 overs, followed by Deepti Sharma and Radha Yadav, who each took two wickets, while Arundhati Reddy and Kaur each contributed one wicket.

With India leading the five-match series 1-0, the second T20I is scheduled to be held in Bristol on July 1.