In India’s consolation victory

2023.12.11

India’s spinners ripped through England’s middle order, and the visitors were only able to reach 126 thanks to a valiant 52 from captain Knight.

Scorecards

England 126 in 20 overs (Heather Knight 52; Shreyanka Patil 3-19, Saika Ishaque 3-22) lost to India 127/5 in 19 overs (Smriti Mandhana 48, Jemimah Rodrigues 29; Freya Kemp 2-24) by five wickets.

In the final match of the three-match Twenty20 International series in Mumbai on Sunday (December 10), India defeated England by five wickets thanks to a disciplined bowling display led by Saika Ishaque (3-22) and Shreyanka Patil (3-19).

Crucial strikes from Smriti Mandhana (48) and Jemimah Rodrigues (29) also helped. India took the game longer than they would have wanted to chase a small target of 127, but they ultimately finished with an over to spare.

England changed up their lineup a little after winning the first two games of the series, resting Sarah Glenn, Danielle Wyatt, and Nat Sciver-Brunt. At the Wankhede, early wickets wounded the visitors on another sluggish surface, but India’s bowlers prevented England from gathering momentum. With the exception of Heather Knight and Amy Jones at the crease, England’s innings lacked pace, making it especially difficult to get rid of Ishaque and Shreyanka.

After they were removed, the innings lost steam, even though their partnership had the potential to push the score over 140–150. With a half-century from Knight and a few of smart runs from Charlie Dean, England managed to surpass the 125-run threshold.

Shafali Verma’s miserable record persisted as she lost ground early, but Mandhana and Rodrigues’ well-balanced pairing allowed them to put the pursuit on hold. With a high intent style of play, the latter was the more aggressive player, going after the more seasoned Sophie Ecclestone and the other bowlers.

Mandhana began slowly at first, but she soon found her rhythm with some forceful strokes. Following the dismissals of the two, England did manage to temporarily counterattack by reducing the pace of scoring, but Amanjot Kaur finished the match with two composed boundaries.

@Charith