India kicked off their five-match T20I series against England with a commanding 97-run victory at Nottingham on Saturday, powered by a record-breaking century from stand-in captain Smriti Mandhana and a sensational debut spell by young spinner Shree Charani. With this win, India lead the series 1-0 ahead of the second match scheduled for July 1 in Bristol.
Opting to bowl first after winning the toss, England found themselves under immediate pressure as India’s top order fired with precision. Mandhana and Shafali Verma laid the foundation with a brisk 77-run opening stand, 47 of which came in the powerplay. Mandhana then partnered with Harleen Deol (43 off 23 balls) to add 94 runs for the second wicket, driving India past the 100-run mark in just 10.1 overs.
India capitalized heavily during the middle overs, scoring 124 runs between overs 7 and 16 — their highest-ever tally in this phase in T20Is. Mandhana’s aggressive innings of 112 off 62 balls, laced with 15 boundaries and three sixes, became the highest individual score by an Indian woman in T20Is. She also became the first Indian woman to score centuries in all three formats, joining a global elite list that includes Heather Knight, Tammy Beaumont, Laura Wolvaardt, and Beth Mooney.
By the end of their innings, India had posted a formidable 210/5 — their second-highest T20I total ever and the highest they have scored outside home conditions. Lauren Bell was the standout bowler for England with figures of 3/27, while Em Arlott and Sophie Ecclestone chipped in with a wicket each.
England’s chase never gathered momentum. Openers Sophia Dunkley and Danni Wyatt departed early, leaving the hosts at 9/2. A brief 49-run resistance from captain Nat Sciver-Brunt (66 off 42) and Tammy Beaumont (10) offered some hope, but wickets fell rapidly once the powerplay ended at 58/3.
Debutant spinner Shree Charani then took centre stage, finishing with remarkable figures of 4/12 — the second-best debut bowling figures for India in women’s T20Is, behind Sravanthi Naidu’s 4/9 in 2014. Radha Yadav (2/15), Deepti Sharma (2/32), Amanjot Kaur, and Arundhati Reddy all contributed to a clinical bowling performance that bundled out England for just 113 in 14.5 overs. This marked England’s biggest defeat by runs in women’s T20I history.
Smriti Mandhana was named Player of the Match for her milestone century and leadership, setting the tone for what could be a dominant series for the visitors.