The Indian Women’s cricket team etched their name in the history books on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, by clinching their first-ever bilateral T20I series victory against England. A commanding six-wicket win in the fourth T20I at Old Trafford sealed an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series, marking a significant milestone for the Women in Blue on English soil.
Disciplined Bowling Sets the Tone
England, opting to bat first after winning the toss, struggled to build momentum against a disciplined Indian bowling attack. Openers Danni Wyatt-Hodge and Sophia Dunkley provided a cautious start, but the Indian bowlers quickly asserted control.
The spin duo of Radha Yadav and Shree Charani proved particularly effective in stifling the English scoring rate and picking up crucial wickets. Radha Yadav, who was later named Player of the Match, delivered an exceptional spell of 2/15 from her four overs, while Shree Charani chipped in with 2/30. Deepti Sharma also contributed with a wicket, ensuring England were restricted to a modest total of 126 for 7 in their 20 overs. A sharp fielding effort by India, including three catches by Arundhati Reddy, further compounded England’s woes.
Confident Chase by India’s Batters
Chasing 127 for victory, India’s openers Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana provided a blistering start, capitalizing on the powerplay overs. They put on a 56-run partnership, with Verma smashing 31 off 19 balls and Mandhana contributing a fluent 32.
Though both openers fell in quick succession, the strong foundation they laid ensured India remained ahead of the required run rate. Jemimah Rodrigues and captain Harmanpreet Kaur then steadied the innings with a crucial 48-run stand. Kaur, playing in her 333rd international match, scored a vital 26 runs before being dismissed with just 10 runs needed. Jemimah Rodrigues remained unbeaten on 24, hitting the winning runs to guide India to a comfortable six-wicket victory with three overs to spare.
A Historic Achievement
This series triumph is a landmark achievement for Indian Women’s cricket. Having lost all six previous multi-game away bilateral T20I series against England, this victory underscores the team’s growing confidence, depth, and ability to perform consistently in challenging overseas conditions.
The series began with a dominant 97-run victory for India, followed by a 24-run win in Bristol. While England managed to pull one back in the third T20I, India’s clinical performance in Manchester ensured the series was sealed with a game to spare.
The final match of the series will be played in Birmingham, with India looking to cap off a remarkable tour with a 4-1 victory. This historic win will undoubtedly provide a significant boost to the team as they prepare for future challenges, including the upcoming T20 World Cup.
