England women vs India women..which is stronger

The India Women’s cricket team is currently touring England for a series that includes five T20 Internationals (T20Is) and three One Day Internationals (ODIs) in June and July 2025. This series serves as key preparation for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup later in 2025, hosted in India and Sri Lanka.

Below is a detailed report on the series, focusing on matches played, upcoming fixtures, key performances, and relevant context, with specific attention to the 3rd T20I scheduled for July 4, 2025, at The Kia Oval, London.

Series Overview

Tour Duration: June 28 – July 22, 2025

Formats: 5 T20Is and 3 ODIs

Purpose: Preparation for the 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, providing India with exposure to English conditions.

Squads:India Women (T20I): Harmanpreet Kaur (c, absent in 1st T20I due to injury), Smriti Mandhana (vice-captain, acting captain for 1st T20I), Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma, Amanjot Kaur, Deepti Sharma, Harleen Deol, Sayali Satghare, Sneh Rana, Richa Ghosh, Yastika Bhatia, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Goud, Radha Yadav, Shree Charani.

England Women (T20I): Nat Sciver-Brunt (c), Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Alice Capsey, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Amy Jones, Paige Scholfield, Linsey Smith, Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Issy Wong, Em Arlott.

Leadership Note: Smriti Mandhana captained India in the 1st T20I due to Harmanpreet Kaur’s head injury sustained during a warm-up match.

Matches Played

1st T20I (June 28, 2025, Trent Bridge, Nottingham):Result: India Women won by 97 runs.

Summary: India posted 210/5, their highest T20I total against England and second-highest overall in women’s T20Is. Smriti Mandhana scored a maiden T20I century (112 off 62 balls, 15 fours, 3 sixes), becoming the first Indian woman to score centuries in all three formats (Test, ODI, T20I). Harleen Deol contributed 43 off 23 balls. England, chasing 211, were bowled out for 113 in 14.5 overs, marking their heaviest T20I defeat by runs. Debutant Shree Charani took 4/12, the second-best figures by an Indian woman on T20I debut. Nat Sciver-Brunt (50 off 31) was England’s top scorer, but Sophie Ecclestone struggled, conceding 43 runs in 3 overs.

Key Records:Mandhana and Shafali Verma set a record for the most fifty-plus partnerships (21) in women’s T20Is, surpassing Australia’s Alyssa Healy and Beth Mooney.

Mandhana’s 112 was the highest individual score by an Indian woman in T20Is, surpassing Harmanpreet Kaur’s previous record.

Mandhana became the second Indian woman to play 150 T20I matches.

Player of the Match: Smriti Mandhana.

Toss: England won and elected to field.

2nd T20I (July 1, 2025, Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol):Result: India Women won by 24 runs.

Summary: India scored 181/4, driven by Jemimah Rodrigues (63 off 41) and Amanjot Kaur (63* off 40), with Richa Ghosh adding 32* off 20. England managed 157/7, with Tammy Beaumont scoring 54 off 35 and Sophie Ecclestone contributing 35* off 23. Lauren Bell was England’s best bowler (2/17 in 4 overs), while Shree Charani took 2/28 for India. Amanjot Kaur’s all-round performance (50 and 1 wicket) earned her Player of the Match.

Toss: England won and elected to field.

Challenges: India’s top order struggled early, reaching 35/3 in 6 overs, with England’s short-ball tactics proving effective initially.

Upcoming Match: 3rd T20I (July 4, 2025, The Kia Oval, London)

Date and Time: July 4, 2025, 6:35 p.m. local time (5:35 p.m. GMT, 11:05 p.m. IST).

Venue: The Kia Oval, London

Context: This is the third of five T20Is. India lead the series 2-0, having dominated with bat and ball in the first two matches. England, ranked just above India (world No. 2 vs. No. 3), aim to leverage their 2024 home success (sweeps against New Zealand) to avoid a series loss. The Oval is a high-scoring venue, and India’s batting, led by Mandhana, will look to exploit its conditions, though England’s bowlers, particularly Lauren Bell, may adjust tactics after conceding high totals.

Status: Match yet to begin as of the current date (July 4, 2025, 9:18 p.m. EEST).

Tickets: Available through Surrey County Cricket Club, with hospitality packages offered.

Live Streaming: Geo-restrictions may apply; check platforms like ESPNcricinfo or official broadcasters (e.g., Sky Sports in the UK, Star Sports in India).

Remaining Fixtures

4th T20I: July 9, 2025, Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, 5:30 p.m. local time.

5th T20I: July 12, 2025, Edgbaston, Birmingham, 5:35 p.m. local time.

1st ODI: July 16, 2025, Utilita Bowl, Southampton, 12:00 p.m. local time (D/N).

2nd ODI: July 19, 2025, Lord’s Cricket Ground, London, 10:00 a.m. local time.

3rd ODI: July 22, 2025, Banks Homes Riverside, Chester-le-Street, 12:00 p.m. local time (D/N).

Key Performances and Impact Players

India Women:

Smriti Mandhana: Her 112 in the 1st T20I was a game-changer, earning her a career-high ICC T20I batting rating of 771 points. Her leadership and ability to adapt to English conditions make her pivotal.

Shree Charani: A standout debutant, taking 4 wickets in the 1st T20I and 2 in the 2nd, proving her value as a bowler.

Amanjot Kaur: Her unbeaten 63 and a wicket in the 2nd T20I highlight her all-round potential.

Jemimah Rodrigues: Scored 63 in the 2nd T20I, stabilizing the innings after early losses.

Deepti Sharma: Effective with 2/32 in the 1st T20I, providing spin bowling depth.

Richa Ghosh: Reached 1,000 T20I runs in the series, adding firepower with 32* in the 2nd T20I.

England Women:

Nat Sciver-Brunt: Captain and key all-rounder, scored 50 in the 1st T20I but struggled to contain India’s batting.

Lauren Bell: Took 2/17 in the 2nd T20I, showing promise as England’s best bowler.

Tammy Beaumont: Scored 54 in the 2nd T20I, a crucial contribution in a losing effort.

Sophie Ecclestone: Struggled in the 1st T20I (1/43), but her 35* in the 2nd T20I showed resilience. Needs to regain her world-class form.

Sophia Dunkley: Yet to make a significant impact, dismissed early in both matches.

Strategic Insights

India’s Strengths: India’s batting has been formidable, with Mandhana and Verma’s opening partnerships setting high totals. Their spinners (Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Radha Yadav) have outperformed England’s, with better economy rates and wickets. Shree Charani’s emergence strengthens their bowling.

England’s Challenges: England’s fielding has been sloppy, with dropped catches (e.g., Mandhana at 13 in the 1st T20I) proving costly. Their spinners, including Ecclestone, have been expensive, conceding high economy rates (e.g., Ecclestone’s 14.33 in the 1st T20I). Short-ball tactics worked early in the 2nd T20I but need consistency.

Conditions: English pitches favor batting, but wind and weather can influence strategies. India’s ability to adapt to these conditions, as noted by Mandhana, has been a key advantage.

World Cup Preparation: India’s early dominance suggests they are acclimatizing well to English conditions, crucial for the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup in England. England, however, need to address fielding and bowling inconsistencies to compete at home.

Critical Analysis

India’s 2-0 lead reflects their superior batting depth and bowling discipline, particularly in spin. Mandhana’s form and Charani’s debut have shifted momentum, while England’s struggles with fielding and bowling execution have been exposed. The absence of Harmanpreet Kaur in the 1st T20I did not hinder India, showcasing their squad depth, but her return could further strengthen their lineup. England’s reliance on Sciver-Brunt and Ecclestone has not yielded results, and they must regroup to avoid a whitewash. The Oval’s batting-friendly pitch may favor India unless England’s bowlers, particularly Bell and Ecclestone, tighten their lines.

Where to Watch

Live Streaming: Check ESPNcricinfo, Star Sports (India), Sky Sports (UK), or official broadcasters. Geo-restrictions may apply.

Tickets: Available for the 3rd T20I at The Kia Oval via Surrey County Cricket Club (tickets.surreycricket.com).

For real-time updates on the 3rd T20I or further details, check official platforms like bcci.tv or ecb.co.uk, or use store locators for local viewing options, as some UK stores or pubs may broadcast the match on July 4, 2025.