The Indian Women’s cricket team has made history by clinching their first-ever bilateral T20I series victory on English soil. On July 9 (Wednesday), at the iconic Old Trafford ground in Manchester, the visitors secured a 3-1 lead in the five-match series with one game still to play.
This landmark victory breaks a long-standing drought for India in bilateral T20I series in England. Although a Mithali Raj-led Indian side won a one-off T20I in Derby back in 2006, the team had never won a multi-match T20I series in the country—until now. India had previously lost all three of their past bilateral series in England, including a close 2-1 loss in 2022.
Dominant Performances Lead to Series Win
India stamped their authority early in the series with comprehensive wins in the first two matches—by 97 runs and 24 runs respectively. In the fourth T20I, the team showcased their chasing prowess, comfortably hunting down England’s target of 127 runs with six wickets in hand and three overs to spare.
Left-arm spinner Radha Yadav was instrumental in setting up the win. Her brilliant spell of 2 for 15 earned her the Player of the Match award. With the bat, India’s top order fired once again. Smriti Mandhana scored a confident 32, while Shafali Verma added a quick 31. Jemimah Rodrigues remained unbeaten on 24, and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur contributed a steady 26 to take India over the finish line.
What’s Next for Team India?
With the series already sealed, India will look to cap it off with another win in the fifth and final T20I, scheduled for July 12 (Saturday) at Edgbaston. Following that, attention will shift to the ODI format, with a three-match ODI series beginning on July 16 (Wednesday) in Southampton.
This historic T20I series win marks a significant milestone for Indian women’s cricket, showcasing their growing dominance on the global stage and setting the tone for the rest of the tour.
