Ahead of their much-anticipated white-ball series against England, the India women’s cricket team begins their campaign with a T20 practice match against the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) Select XI.
This clash serves as an important warm-up fixture for the visitors before the international fixtures. India, led by experienced seniors and packed with emerging stars, is eager to make early impressions. Meanwhile, the ECB Select XI features a promising group of England’s next-gen talents who’ve come through domestic ranks and are knocking on the doors of the senior team.
Squads:
ECB Select XI
Hollie Armitage (C), Maia Bouchier, Alice Davidson-Richards, Sarah Glenn, Kirstie Gordon, Eva Gray, Bess Heath, Emma Lamb, Ryana MacDonald-Gay, Bryony Smith, Ellie Threlkeld, Mady Villiers
India Women’s Cricket Team
Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (WK), Yastika Bhatia (WK), Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Sree Charani, Shuchi Upadhyay, Amanjot Kaur, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gaud, Sayali Satghare
Players to watch out:
Maia Bouchier
A rising star in English cricket, Bouchier has steadily translated domestic consistency into international promise. With 722 runs in 37 T20I innings and the highest score of 91, she’s known for her elegant stroke play and adaptability. Her ability to anchor and accelerate makes her a vital cog in the ECB Select XI.
Sarah Glenn
Glenn’s blend of control and variation has made her one of the most dangerous leg-spinners in the game. A handy contributor with the bat and standout with the ball, she has claimed 89 wickets in 70 WT20I matches, with the best of 4/12. Her knack for striking at crucial moments could cause real problems for India’s middle order.
Harmanpreet Kaur
Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur etched her name in history with a blazing, unbeaten 171* against Australia in the 2017 World Cup semi-final. In the WT20I format, she brings invaluable experience with 3589 runs, including the highest of 103, in 158 innings. With the ball, she’s proven her utility, taking 32 wickets, including the best of 4/23, making her a true all-round threat.
Deepti Sharma
One of India’s most dependable all-rounders, Deepti has added 1086 runs from 79 T20I innings and scalped 138 wickets in 121 outings. With her calm presence in the middle and ability to break partnerships, her best figures of 4/10, highlight her match-winning capabilities. Expect her to play a pivotal role with both bat and ball.
Pitch:
The Kent County Cricket Ground in Beckenham has traditionally been a batter’s paradise in white-ball cricket. With its flat surface and true bounce, it encourages stroke play and high scores. Bowlers, especially pacers, will need to rely on variations and accuracy to contain the flow of runs.
Weather:
Beckenham is set to experience mostly cloudy skies with temperatures around 27°C and moderate humidity at 49%. While there’s no threat of rain, the cloud cover may offer a bit of assistance to seamers early on, spicing up the contest.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Harmanpreet Kaur, Sarah Glenn, Deepti Sharma, Smriti Mandhana, Maia Bouchier, Shafali Verma, Emma Lamb, Alice Davidson-Richards, Bryony Smith, Richa Ghosh, Sneh Rana
Match Details:
Date – June 25, 2025
Time – 3:30 PM IST
Venue – The Kent County Cricket Ground, New Beckenham, Beckenham
Broadcast – T. B. C.
