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A masterclass from middle-order maestro powered the India Women’s cricket team to a commanding 38-run victory over England Women in the opening match of the T20I series at Chelmsford on May 28, 2026. On a night when India’s prominent opening duo failed to trouble the scorers early on, a brilliant counter-attacking partnership and clinical defensive bowling ensured the visitors started their tour of England on a resounding note.
Jemimah Rodrigues and Yastika Bhatia takes India to a formidable total
Electing to bat first, India’s innings began in catastrophic fashion. England’s premier fast bowler Lauren Bell dismantled the visitors’ top order in the very first over, packing back both skipper Smriti Mandhana and the explosive Shafali Verma for 0 and 2 runs respectively. With India reeling at 7/2 within the first six balls, local fans anticipated a routine English collapse.
However, Yastika Bhatia and Rodrigues had other plans. The duo absorbed the initial movement before unleashing an absolute onslaught on the English attack. Bhatia took charge during the Powerplay, smashing a blistering 54 off 40 deliveries, hitting nine boundaries and a six to bring up her half-century in just 31 balls.
Once Bhatia settled, Rodrigues shifted into overdrive. Awarded the Player of the Match, Rodrigues played a majestic, calculated knock of 69 runs from just 40 balls, striking eight boundaries and clearing the ropes once. Together, Bhatia and Rodrigues stitched together a crucial 126-run partnership for the third wicket, keeping the run rate clicking at over nine runs an over. Late-order contributions from Deepti Sharma (22 off 13) lifted India to a formidable total of 188/7 in their allotted 20 overs, despite Bell finishing as the pick of the home bowlers with figures of 3/34.
India go 1-0 up the T20I series 👏
— WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ)
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India’s disciplined bowling halts England in opening Women’s T20I game
Defending 188, the Indian bowling unit put on a clinical display of tight lines and variations, preventing the English batters from generating any sustained momentum. Emerging pacer Kranti Gaud provided the initial breakthrough by striking early in the Powerplay, dismissing Sophia Dunkley (16) and Alice Capsey (65) to keep England checkmated at 37/2.
Wicketkeeper-batter Amy Jones offered the lone stiff resistance for England, fighting back with a valiant 67 off 48 balls. Alongside former captain Heather Knight (21), Jones threatened to stitch together a dangerous recovery path. However, India’s spin-and-pace choke proved too stringent. Shree Charani broke the partnership by removing Knight, which triggered a batting collapse from which the hosts could never recover.
Nandani Sharma was the destructor-in-chief in the death overs, turning the game firmly in India’s favor. She cleaned up the tail efficiently to finish with highly impressive figures of 3/34 from her four overs. also played a crucial role, keeping the pressure high with an economical spell of 0/23. England’s chase eventually fizzled out at 150/8 as the 20 overs concluded. With this comprehensive 38-run win, India takes a crucial 1-0 lead in the 3-match T20I series.
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This article was first published at , a Cricket Times company.
