The Indian women’s team registered a stunning 97-run victory over England in the opening T20I at Trent Bridge, courtesy chiefly to the stand-in skipper Smriti Mandhana’s history-making century and a clinical debut spell from young spinner Nallapureddy Shree Charani.
In more ways than one, it was Mandhana’s night: she became the first Indian woman to score a century across all three formats, notching up the highest individual T20I score for India with a breathtaking 112 off 62, and set the tone for a series that serves as a vital build-up to next year’s T20 World Cup in England.
Stepping in for the injured Harmanpreet Kaur just hours before the toss, Mandhana led India from the front, first forging a 77-run opening stand with Shafali Verma and then, in partnership with Harleen Deol (43 from 23), powering India to a daunting 210/5. England’s bowlers, Lauren Bell being the lone beacon with 3/27, were largely put to the sword as Mandhana’s signature timing, not brute power, ruled the day.
After being reminded by teammate Radha Yadav that she often fell short in the 70s and 80s, Mandhana’s finger-wag celebration on reaching the milestone was a heartwarming, personal moment, one the whole dressing room, it seems, had been waiting for.
In the post-match press conference, Mandhana was forthright about her T20 journey, admitting the shortest format doesn’t feel “natural” to her, but the challenge only makes milestones like this more special.
“It’s not a very natural format for me because I like to time the ball, not a big hitter,” she confessed. “For the last six years, it’s always a work in progress.” Her approach paid dividends on a big stage, and the joy was evident, not just in the scorecard but in her interactions off the field.
The skipper gleefully recounted her playful exchange with Radha Yadav, who lectured her for failing to convert starts into centuries. “The finger was towards her (Radha Yadav), that, see, I got it today,” Smriti said with a smile, referencing her celebration after reaching three figures at long last.
Even as she toasted her own achievement, Mandhana reserved praise for her opening partner. Despite Shafali Verma’s tentative return, managing just 20 off 22, Mandhana’s faith was unwavering, “I don’t see a big knock too far. The way she’s playing in the nets, I see a big knock coming in the next four matches.” Such public backing will undoubtedly boost the young opener’s confidence as India moves deeper into the series.
If Mandhana’s ton set up the match, India’s bowlers, spearheaded by debutant Charani, shut the door on any England fightback. England, chasing an imposing 211, were undone by disciplined spin, folding for just 113. Shree Charani’s figures (3.5-0-12-4), ably supported by Radha Yadav (2/15) and Deepti Sharma (2/32), forced the hosts into submission despite a valiant 66 from Nat Sciver-Brunt. Only two other English batters reached double figures.
Mandhana couldn’t hide her delight at the bowling effort, calling out Charani’s composure and execution on debut, “To come in the first match and bowl like that, today the way she actually bowled was amazing.” She praised her bowlers for sticking to clear plans, particularly in handling the threat posed by Sciver-Brunt.
The magnitude of India’s win, by 97 runs, and in the absence of their regular captain Harmanpreet Kaur, sends a bold message to the cricketing world as both teams tune up for next year’s global showpiece. Mandhana, now the Player of the Match in the 1st game, has firmly seized the leadership mantle and the narrative. With her bat doing the talking and her tactical nous on show, India have drawn first blood and set the perfect platform for a fiercely contested series ahead.
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