The England national team once again demonstrated why they are ranked No. 2 in the world. Facing India in a must-win match while trailing 2-0 in the 5-match T20I series, they took to the field without their newly appointed captain and one of England’s cricketing greats, Nat Sciver-Brunt, who was sidelined with a groin injury.
In her absence, Tammy Beaumont stepped in as captain and led an England side that was in need of a strong start from their openers, who finally rose to the occasion. After a series of low-scoring starts, the opening pair delivered a crucial 137-run partnership. Vice-captain Sophia Dunkley led from the front with an impressive 75 off 53 balls, while experienced batter Danni Wyatt-Hodge added a quickfire 66 from 42 deliveries. Their partnership helped England post a competitive total of 171 for 9.
In response, India’s openers got off to a flying start, putting on an 85-run stand. The momentum shifted when Sophie Ecclestone bowled Shafali Verma, denying her a well-earned half-century. Smriti Mandhana reached her another T20I fifty but was soon dismissed by Lauren Filer. After the fall of the openers, the Indian batters struggled to maintain the required pace against England’s disciplined bowling and ultimately fell just 5 runs short, with the series scoreline moving to 2-1.
The series has continued to provide drama and excitement. Much like the first two matches, the third game also saw record-breaking performances that added to an already captivating contest. The Indian women’s team etched their name in the history books by setting a world record across all formats of international cricket during their clash against England in the third T20I of the ongoing five-match series.
After Sophia Dunkley and Danielle Wyatt-Hodge’s 137-run opening partnership set England on track for a strong first innings total at Kennington Oval, the Indian team staged a powerful comeback. Arundhati Reddy and Deepti Sharma each took three wickets, triggering a collapse in the English batting lineup. From a commanding 136 without loss at the end of the 15th over, the hosts were eventually limited to 171 for 9.
With this achievement, India set an unprecedented world record in international cricket history. For the first time across all formats and both men’s and women’s cricket, a team took nine consecutive wickets within just 25 balls. The visitors made their breakthrough when Deepti Sharma caught and bowled Sophia Dunkley for 75 on the second ball of the 16th over.
Arundhati Reddy, bowling her final (fourth) over, dismissed Alice Capsey off the first ball, before sending back Danni Wyatt-Hodge and Amy Jones off consecutive balls in the same over. In the next over, Radha Yadav dismissed Tammy Beaumont to claim her 100th T20I wicket, and N Shree Charani struck with back-to-back deliveries.
After that, wickets tumbled rapidly as India claimed nine wickets in only 25 deliveries. Deepti took her third wicket of the match and her 299th international wicket on the second ball of the 20th over. The hosts will face India at Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester on July 9 for the fourth T20 International of the five-match T20I series.
Loves all things female cricket