India’s women’s cricket team has established a strong 2-0 lead in the ongoing five-match T20I series in England. Dominating wins at Trent Bridge and Bristol have shown a mixture of outstanding individual efforts and team play.

In the first T20I at Trent Bridge, Smriti Mandhana played a brilliant knock of 112 runs off 62 balls with 15 fours and three sixes. Her first T20 international century helped India to a daunting total of 210 for 5, their best against England in the format. This combination of controlled aggression and accurate shot selection preconditioned the overwhelming 97-run win of India.

England failed to respond and India bowlers struck early and kept the pressure on the England batsmen. The hosts were bowled out on 113 runs, their biggest defeat in terms of runs in women T20 cricket. England had a bit of a hiccup in forming partnerships and this was a major performance gap on the day.

In the second T20I at Bristol, India recovered after a poor start of 31/3 to post 181/4 with Jemimah Rodrigues (63) and Amanjot Kaur (63*) scoring good half-centuries. England responded but could only manage 157 all out. Indian bowlers kept things tight, picking up important wickets and putting pressure to win by 24 runs and take a 2-0 lead in the series.

Mandhana’s performances have not only boosted her ICC ranking but also the morale of the rest of the team members. Meanwhile, the Indian bowlers have managed to adapt to the English conditions, as they are disciplined and tactical.

 

This is a significant step up by India who have traditionally struggled in English conditions. The present squad is a mix of experience and youth, and it is more composed and flexible in stressful situations. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur has commended the attitude and the capability of the team to deliver in crucial moments.

India has a good chance of winning their first T20I series in England with three matches remaining at Lord’s, The Oval, and Old Trafford. England is now left with the task of rebuilding and reacting to the dominant displays of India that have seen them take a 2-0 lead in the five-match series. The other matches will be decisive as England tries to stop the momentum of India and make the series competitive.

The series brings out the growing competitiveness in women cricket and the great strides that the Indian team has made. Their dominating performances over England, with record-breaking wins and individual performances, are indicators that India is about to make history in the format.