Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur struck an unbeaten 42 to set up India’s thrilling five-wicket win over England in the first match of the Twenty20 International tri-series in Canberra on Friday.
India’s successful chase came after a fine performance from the bowlers as spinners – Rajeshwari Gayakwad (2/19), Deepti Sharma (2/30) and Radha Yadav (1/33) – restricted England to 147/7, while right-arm medium pacer Shikha Pandey (2/33) was among the wickets as well at the Manuka Oval.
Harmanpreet took the run chase deep after the Indian top order, including the 16-year-old Shafali Verma (30), Smriti Mandhana(15) and Jemimah Rodrigues (26) – got out after good starts.
Veda Krishnamurthy (7) and Taniya Bhatia (11) also failed to stay on the crease as England bowlers struck at regular intervals.
With six needed off the last over, Harmanpreet, whose innings was studded with five boundaries until then, hit a towering six to take India to 150/5 and end the match in style with three balls to spare.
Earlier, put in to bat, England suffered a top order batting collapse as openers Amy Jones (1) and Danni Wyatt (4) were dismissed cheaply. Natalie Sciver (20) and Fran Wilson (7) soon followed, leaving England reeling at 59 for four in 10 overs.
Skipper Heather Knight then took charge, hitting a brisk 44-ball 67. Her innings was laced with eight boundaries and two sixes. Wicketkeeper Tammy Beaumont supported her captain with a 27-ball 37. The duo helped England post a fighting total.
Brief Scores:
England: 147 for 7 in 20 overs (Heather Knight 67, Tammy Beaumont 37; Rajeshwari Gayakwad 2/19) lost by five wickets to India: 150 for 5 in 19.
With PTI Inputs