In a match that showcased flair, aggression, and dominance, India’s stand-in captain Smriti Mandhana lit up the first T20I against England with her maiden T20I century, guiding India to a thumping 97-run victory.
Mandhana’s Magical Knock
With Harmanpreet Kaur unavailable, Smriti Mandhana rose to the occasion as captain, smashing a stunning 112 off just 62 balls.
SMRITI MANDHANA - FIRST INDIAN WOMAN TO SCORE CENTURIES IN ALL 3 FORMATS.
— Chai_Sutta (@Chai_SuttaGuy) June 28, 2025
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Her knock was a beautiful mix of clean timing, smart placement, and raw power, including 14 fours and 3 sixes. She started aggressively, attacking left-arm spinner Linsey Smith early on and never let the tempo drop.
Bringing up her half-century in 27 balls and completing her century in just 51 balls, Mandhana broke several records in the process. Not only was it her first T20I hundred, but it also became the highest individual T20I score by an Indian woman, surpassing Harmanpreet’s 103.
Strong Partnerships at the Top
Mandhana and Shafali Verma gave India a solid start, adding 77 runs for the first wicket. Though Shafali struggled a bit, scoring 20 off 22 balls, Mandhana’s dominance kept the scoreboard ticking.
Later, she stitched another crucial 94-run stand with Harleen Deol, who chipped in with a quickfire 43 off 23 deliveries. Their partnership pushed India to a commanding total of 210/5, giving England a massive chase.
Indian Bowlers Seal the Deal
England’s chase never got going. Despite a fighting 66 off 42 balls from skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt, the rest of the English batting lineup collapsed under pressure.
Debutant Shree Charani made a dream start to her international career, picking up 4 wickets for just 12 runs, and dismantling England's middle order.
England was bowled out for just 113 in 14.5 overs, handing India a comprehensive 97-run win and a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
Match Highlights:
- India: 210/5 (Mandhana 112, Harleen 43, Bell 3/27)
- England: 113 all out (Sciver-Brunt 66, Charani 4/12)
- Result: India won by 97 runs
Player of the Match: Smriti Mandhana
Smriti Mandhana’s spectacular knock and debutant Shree Charani’s four-wicket haul have set the tone for India’s T20I series against England. With such a dominant performance, India will be confident going into the second match.