In a landmark moment for Indian women’s cricket, the national team achieved a rare double triumph on English soil, winning both the T20I and ODI series in a tour defined by commanding performances, breakout talents, and a bold, strategic mindset. With two World Cups—ODI in 2025 at home and T20I in 2026 in England—on the horizon, India’s statement-making performances serve as a powerful prelude to what lies ahead.
T20I Glory: First-Ever Series Win in England
India etched history by defeating England 3–2 in the five-match T20I series, clinching their first-ever bilateral T20I series win on English soil. The decisive moment came on July 9 at Old Trafford, where India’s spinners choked the English batting lineup, setting up a 6-wicket win and an unassailable 3–1 lead before the final game.
Shree Charani was the breakout star of the series. Making her international debut, the young left-arm spinner stunned with a four-wicket haul that included the prized scalp of England skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt. She continued her fine run throughout the series, eventually being named Player of the Series with a tally of 10 wickets.
India’s spin trio—Shree Charani, Radha Yadav, and Deepti Sharma—formed the backbone of the bowling attack, compensating effectively for the absence of senior pacers.
On the batting front, Smriti Mandhana stood tall, becoming only the fifth woman in cricket history to score hundreds across all three formats. Her maiden T20I century was a highlight of the tour. The returning Shafali Verma brought explosive starts and capped the series with a crucial knock in the final T20I, boosting her World Cup credentials. Contributions from Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues, Amanjot Kaur, and Richa Ghosh added much-needed middle-order strength.
ODI Dominance: A Complete White-Ball Takeover
India carried their momentum into the three-match ODI series, sealing a 2–1 victory to complete a historic white-ball double in England.
The decisive third ODI at Chester-le-Street on July 22 saw Harmanpreet Kaur deliver a captain’s knock, smashing 102 off 99 balls—her 7th ODI century—as India posted a daunting total of 319/5, their highest ODI total on English soil.
England came close but fell 13 runs short, thanks to a sensational bowling display from 21-year-old Kranti Goud, who scalped 6 wickets in just her third ODI appearance. With senior pacers unavailable, India trusted Goud over seasoned campaigner Arundhati Reddy, and the move paid rich dividends. Her spell was the 5th-best bowling figures by an Indian woman in ODIs and made her the 2nd-youngest Indian to take a five-wicket haul in women’s ODIs.
India’s innings was anchored not only by their captain but also by key contributions:
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Smriti Mandhana – 45 (set the tone at the top)
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Harleen Deol – 45 (steady middle-order presence)
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Jemimah Rodrigues – 50 (landmark 50th ODI appearance)
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Richa Ghosh – 38* off 18 (explosive late flourish)
Harmanpreet’s 4,000-run milestone in ODIs—becoming only the third Indian woman after Mithali Raj and Smriti Mandhana—added another feather to her already illustrious cap.
A Statement Beyond Numbers by Indian Women’s Team
While the stats reflect dominance, the true significance of this tour lies in its symbolism. Historically inconsistent in overseas conditions, India Women showcased a fearless brand of cricket, marked by aggressive batting, relentless spin, sharp fielding, and strategic selection gambles that paid off.
This tour may very well be a turning point—not just in terms of results, but in how the team is perceived, supported, and believed in back home.
India has often flirted with greatness. But this time, they didn’t just compete—they conquered. With the 2025 ODI World Cup at home and the 2026 T20 World Cup in England, India has sent out a loud and clear message:
“We’re not just here to participate. We’re here to win.”
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