India Women produced a commanding all-round performance to outclass Netherlands Women by 95 runs in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Group 1 clash in Leeds on June 17, 2026. In a contest dominated by aggressive batting and disciplined bowling, India Women showcased their depth and balance, posting a formidable total before dismantling the Dutch batting lineup well before the completion of the chase. The result further strengthened India’s campaign in the tournament and highlighted their credentials as one of the strongest sides in the competition.
The foundation of India’s innings was laid by the explosive opening pair of Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma, who immediately put the Netherlands bowlers under pressure. The duo attacked from the outset and raced to 50 runs in just 5.1 overs. Shafali was particularly aggressive, bringing up her half-century off just 34 deliveries with nine boundaries. The opening partnership yielded exactly 115 runs in 11.4 overs, giving India complete control of the innings. Shafali eventually departed for a sparkling 55 off 38 balls, including 10 fours, when Iris Zwilling struck a crucial breakthrough. Despite the wicket, India’s momentum remained intact as Mandhana continued to dictate terms from the other end.
Mandhana carried the innings forward with another classy display, mixing elegant strokeplay with calculated aggression. Alongside Jemimah Rodrigues, she added 47 runs for the second wicket, taking India beyond the 150-run mark. Mandhana reached her fifty from just 36 deliveries and eventually scored a superb 74 off 47 balls, smashing 11 boundaries and a six at a strike rate of 157.44. Caroline de Lange ended her outstanding knock in the 16th over, but by then India had already built a dominant platform. Jemimah Rodrigues contributed a brisk 19 from 13 balls and shared a useful 6-run stand with Yastika Bhatia before falling to Myrthe van den Raad. Yastika managed only 3 runs, while captain Harmanpreet Kaur chipped in with 12 from 9 deliveries.
The late overs belonged to the finishing duo of Richa Ghosh and Deepti Sharma. After Harmanpreet’s dismissal at 199, the pair ensured India crossed the 200-run barrier. Richa remained unbeaten on 20 from only 8 balls, striking one four and two sixes, while Deepti finished not out on 10 from just 2 deliveries, including a boundary and a six.
Their unbroken partnership of 10 runs lifted India to an imposing 209/5 in 20 overs at a run rate of 10.45. The Netherlands bowling effort struggled against the relentless assault, though Caroline de Lange emerged as the most successful bowler with figures of 2/32 from four overs. Iris Zwilling, Heather Siegers and Myrthe van den Raad claimed one wicket each. Silver Siegers bowled economically considering the conditions, conceding 32 runs from her four overs, while Isabel van der Woning and Frederique Overdijk also contributed with the ball.
Chasing 210, Netherlands Women needed a flying start but were immediately pushed onto the back foot by India’s disciplined bowling attack. Heather Siegers and Phoebe Molkenboer attempted to counterattack, but Kranti Goud provided the breakthrough by removing Heather for 21 off 16 balls after a 34-run opening stand. Phoebe added 15 runs before Nandani Sharma struck, reducing the Netherlands to 50/2 in 7.3 overs. Captain Babette de Leede then tried to rebuild the innings, sharing a 27-run partnership with Sterre Kalis. Kalis scored a quick 18 off 13 balls, but Shafali Verma dismissed her at 77/3, shifting the momentum further in India’s favour.
Babette de Leede fought hard with a composed 28 off 27 balls and stitched together another 19-run stand with Robine Rijke. However, Nandani Sharma removed the Dutch skipper at 96/4, triggering a collapse. Robine Rijke made 8, Frederique Overdijk added 9, and Iris Zwilling scored 8, but none of the middle-order batters could convert their starts into substantial contributions. India continued to strike at regular intervals, preventing any meaningful partnership from developing. Myrthe van den Raad was dismissed for a duck, Silver Siegers managed only 1, Isabel van der Woning was dismissed without scoring, and Caroline de Lange remained unbeaten on 0 as the innings folded for 114 in 17.3 overs.
India’s bowling unit delivered a clinical performance. Shree Charani was the standout performer, claiming outstanding figures of 4/19 from her four overs and ripping through the middle and lower order. Shafali Verma impressed with 3 wickets for just 20 runs in 3.2 overs, while Nandani Sharma picked up 2/22. Kranti Goud set the tone with 1/26 from four overs, and Deepti Sharma added another wicket despite conceding 26 runs.
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