New Delhi: After winning the gold medal at the Asian Games 2023, the Indian women’s team was set to be in action for the first time in T20 cricket against one of their toughest opponents, the English women’s team.
Even though India had pretty disappointing head-to-head stats against the English side, they hoped to turn things around by having the home-ground advantage with them.
However, the English side, who lost 2-1 to the Sri Lankan women’s team at home, was ready to turn things around in their manner too.
Danielle Wyatt and Nat Sciver-Brunt took the assignment in their hand to sink the Indian team in the first match of the match and successfully achieved the target to take a 1-0 lead in the 3-match series.
Danielle Wyatt, pure delight. #INDvENGpic.twitter.com/ePdljlugY6
— Faiz Fazel (@theFaizFazel) December 6, 2023
As it happened
Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur won the toss and invited Heather Knight and company to bat first.
India had a great start as Renuka Singh removed Sophie Dunkly (1) and Alice Capsey (0), in the very first over to reduce the English innings to 2 for 2.
No abnormal stunts, just pure class from Nat Sciver – Brunt 👌
She joins the 50 club with 🤝Dani Wyatt in the 1st #INDWvENGW T20I🔥 #IDFCFirstBankT20ITrophy #JioCinemaSports pic.twitter.com/uf9h8POQfS
— JioCinema (@JioCinema) December 6, 2023
Danielle Wyatt (75) and Nat Sciver-Brunt (77), then rebuilds the English innings by adding 138 runs for the third wicket.
Amy Jones gave the finishing touch by adding 23 runs in just 9 balls to finish the English innings with 197 for 6.
𝗧. 𝗜. 𝗠. 𝗕. 𝗘. 𝗥!
A wicket on #TeamIndia debut for Shreyanka Patil! 🙌 🙌
England lose their captain Heather Knight.
Follow the Match ▶️ https://t.co/W69UaozmgU#INDvENG | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/GjE3X7JuuW
— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) December 6, 2023
Renuka Singh was the most successful bowler for the Indian side, with an impressive spell of 3 for 27 in 4 overs.
Renuka ™️
Successful return from injury for Renuka Singh Thakur 🎯#INDvENGpic.twitter.com/uyru3HY6oI
— Women’s CricZone (@WomensCricZone) December 7, 2023
In reply, except for Shafali Verma (52), all the other batters of the team looked uncomfortable in the middle. As a result, they only managed to reach a total of 159 for 6 in 20 overs, giving the English side’s 21st T20I win in 28 matches against the women in blue.
Captain Harmampreet Kaur flexes her power 💪#INDvENG #RivalsinBlue #JioCinemaSports #WomenInBlue #IDFCFirstBankT20ITrohy pic.twitter.com/SJInUaq7aB
— JioCinema (@JioCinema) December 6, 2023
The second match of the series will be a must-win game for the women in blue if they want to keep the series alive.
Leaving fans spellbound 😍, it’s a sight to see Shafali Varma 🔥 scoring down the ground 💪
Which of her boundary 4⃣s is your favorite? 🎙️#INDvENG #RivalsinBlue #JioCinemaSports #WomenInBlue pic.twitter.com/EJuLYVdEEb
— JioCinema (@JioCinema) December 6, 2023
The second match will be played on December 9, at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
