India Women vs England Women 1st T20I 2025: India Women put up a solid total of 181/4 in their 20 overs in the 1st T20I against England Women, thanks to blistering half-centuries from Jemimah Rodrigues and Amanjot Kaur. Despite a shaky start, the Indian middle order rose to the occasion, ensuring a competitive total in the series opener.
Early Setbacks for India
Winning the toss and opting to bat first, India Women faced early hiccups as both openers departed cheaply. Shafali Verma was dismissed for just 3 runs in the second over, caught by Amy Jones off Lauren Filer. Soon after, Smriti Mandhana followed her to the pavilion, scoring 13 off 13 balls, edging a delivery from Em Arlott to Lauren Bell.
India was quickly in trouble at 30/2 in 4.4 overs. Things worsened when skipper Harmanpreet Kaur was dismissed for just 1 run in the very next over, leaving the visitors reeling at 31/3.
Jemimah and Amanjot Lead the Recovery
It was then that Jemimah Rodrigues and Amanjot Kaur stitched a game-changing partnership. Rodrigues played a flamboyant knock, scoring 63 off 41 balls, including 9 fours and 1 six. Her timing, placement, and aggressive intent shifted momentum in India’s favour.
Amanjot Kaur, batting at No. 5, complemented Rodrigues brilliantly. She remained unbeaten on 63 off 40 deliveries, anchoring the innings with 9 boundaries and a strike rate of 157.50. The duo added 93 runs off just 55 balls for the fourth wicket, laying the foundation for a strong finish.
Rodrigues eventually fell in the 15th over to Lauren Bell, but the damage was already done.
Richa Ghosh Finishes Strong
Wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh made the most of the final overs, smashing a quickfire 32 off just 20 balls. Her 6 boundaries ensured India maximized their death-over scoring.
Amanjot and Richa added an unbeaten 57-run stand off 34 balls to push India past the 180-mark.
England’s Bowling Struggles
The English bowlers failed to maintain pressure after the early breakthroughs. Lauren Bell was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 2/17 from her 4 overs. Em Arlott and Lauren Filer picked up a wicket each but were expensive, conceding 43 and 42 runs respectively.
Sophie Ecclestone was economical, finishing with 0/30 from her 4 overs, but lacked support from the other end. Linsey Smith had a forgettable outing, giving away 37 runs in her 3 overs.
Fall of Wickets:
- 14/1 (Shafali Verma, 1.4 ov)
- 30/2 (Smriti Mandhana, 4.4 ov)
- 31/3 (Harmanpreet Kaur, 5.1 ov)
- 124/4 (Jemimah Rodrigues, 14.2 ov)
Powerplay Score:
India scored 35 runs in the first 6 overs, losing three wickets.
England will now need 182 runs to win and take a 1-0 lead in the series. With a deep batting line-up featuring the likes of Danni Wyatt, Alice Capsey, and Nat Sciver-Brunt, they certainly have the firepower. However, India’s spinners, led by Deepti Sharma and Radha Yadav, will look to exploit the surface and defend the total.
