Stand-in skipper Smriti Mandhana delivered a masterclass at Trent Bridge, smashing her maiden T20I century to lead India to a resounding 97-run win over England in the first of five matches. With regular captain Harmanpreet Kaur sidelined due to a head injury, Mandhana stepped up, scoring a dazzling 112 off 62 balls, laced with three sixes and 15 fours.
Mandhana’s dominant innings powered India to 210 for 5, their second-highest total in T20Is. Harleen Deol provided crucial support with a brisk 23-ball 43, while Shafali Verma and Richa Ghosh added quick-fire contributions. Mandhana reached her century in just 51 balls, joining an elite group of women to score centuries in all three formats.
England, in contrast, struggled from the start. N Shree Charani, on debut, impressed with figures of 4 for 12, including the key wicket of Nat Sciver-Brunt, who was the lone standout with 66 off 35 balls. India’s spinners, particularly Deepti Sharma and Radha Yadav, ran through England’s top order, leaving them all out for 113 in just under 15 overs.
England’s fielding was also sub-par, reminiscent of their T20 World Cup exit, and returning spinner Sophie Ecclestone had a tough outing, going for 43 runs in three overs, though she did eventually dismiss Mandhana.
This emphatic win gives India a 1-0 lead and serves as a serious wake-up call for new England coach Charlotte Edwards and her squad, who now face an uphill task in the remaining four T20Is before the ODI leg begins in mid-July.