The Indian women’s cricket team scripted history by winning their first-ever multi-match T20I series against England Women. In an intense five-match series held in England, the Indian women edged past the hosts with a 3-2 series victory, delivering some thrilling cricket and showing nerves of steel in pressure moments.
Although they missed the chance to finish with a dominant 4-1 scoreline after losing the fifth and final T20I on July 12 at Birmingham, the team’s performance throughout the series marked a significant milestone in Indian women’s cricket.
England Chase Down 168 in Last-Ball Thriller
The final T20I turned into a dramatic last-ball finish. England Women pulled off their highest-ever successful run chase in T20Is, reaching the 168-run target with just one ball to spare. With five runs needed off the last four balls, it seemed like England had the upper hand. But Radha Yadav’s stunning forward-diving catch turned the game on its head, reducing the equation to five off three.
The tension soared as every delivery counted. On the very last ball, with just one run required, Smriti Mandhana attempted an underarm throw at the bowler’s end to stop Sophie Ecclestone from completing the match-winning single. In a moment straight out of a movie, the throw narrowly missed, and England secured the win, avoiding a 4-1 series loss.
Radha Yadav Shines with All-Round Performance
Despite the defeat in the final match, Radha Yadav emerged as a standout performer. She contributed with both bat and ball — scoring 14 off 14 balls and delivering a tight bowling spell, conceding just 20 runs in her four overs and picking up a crucial wicket.
Her moment of brilliance, however, came in the field with that incredible catch. The jaw-dropping dive was widely shared across social media, especially on Sony LIV’s official X (formerly Twitter) account, earning her applause from fans and cricket experts alike.
With this game, Radha moved to fifth on the list of Indian women cricketers with the most catches in T20 Internationals, having taken 33 catches in 88 innings. She now trails behind:
- Veda Krishnamurthy (38)
- Deepti Sharma (39)
- Smriti Mandhana (39)
- Harmanpreet Kaur (68)
While the final match didn’t go in India’s favor, the series win on English soil — a first in a multi-match T20I format — is a testament to the team’s growth, resilience, and rising stature in world cricket.
