Credit: Sony Sports Network
In the opening Women’s T20 International (WT20I) between Team India and England at Trent Bridge in Nottingham, Smriti Mandhana showcased her batting excellence and clobbered her first WT20I ton. Winning the toss, England skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt elected to field first and her decision proved dangerous for her side as the visitors’ star opener Mandhana looked relentless with her bat and showed no mercy towards bowlers. After the early fall of Shafali Verma, Mandhana took the matter into her own hands and built an impactful 94-run stand off just 45 balls. Deol scored a rapid 43 off 23, while Mandhana concluded her innings after scoring 112 off 62.
The captain’s knock was studded with 18 boundaries (15 fours and three maximums). With her magnificent knock, she has become the second India women batter to score a century in T20Is. Earlier in 2018, Harmanpreet Kaur became the first batter from her team to rack up a ton in the shortest form of the sport in women’s category. Riding on her amazing batting performance, India posted a giant total of 210/5 on the board.
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Deepti Sharma delivers double blow to England women early
Chasing the massive target, England women have lost five batters thus far. In the first over, Amanjot Kaur got rid of Sophia Dunkley, who could chip in with only seven runs off four balls. The next delivery, Danni Wyatt-Hodge also followed her to the dugout with a three-ball duck. Tammy Beaumont scored 10 off 11 and became the second victim of Deepti Sharma, who sent Wyatt-Hodge to the dugout earlier.
Wicketkeeper Amy Jones and Alice Capsey also went back to the pavilion cheaply with their single-digit scores. Skipper Brunt has shown fighting spirit so far and is heading towards her fifty. As of writing, England are 71/5 in nine overs.
