In a riveting showdown between cricket powerhouses, India and England, the first match of the three-T20 series is unfolding into a nail-biter. England, batting first, has already crossed the 100-run mark with two wickets down at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. Danielle Wyatt and Net Shivir-Brunt have formed a formidable partnership, catapulting England back into the game after an impressive early performance by Team India.
As the match enters the 12th over, England stands at 109/2, thanks to the spectacular revival orchestrated by the Shivir-Wyatt duo. However, it was India's Renuka Singh who stole the early limelight, claiming two wickets in the very first over and pushing England onto the back foot. The twists and turns of this encounter are keeping fans on the edge of their seats.
Highlights of the English innings so far include Renuka Singh dismissing Sofia Dunkley with a stunning delivery, conceding only one run in two balls. She followed it up by sending Alice Capsey back to the pavilion on the very first ball, leaving England momentarily gasping for breath.
India, after a strong start with the ball, is now gearing up for its turn at the crease, aiming to chase down whatever target England sets. The Wankhede Stadium crowd is witnessing a gripping battle between the bat and ball, and the stage is set for a thrilling T20 encounter.
The playing elevens for both teams are as follows:
India: Smriti Mandhana, Shefali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (Captain), Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (Wicketkeeper), Shreyanka Patil, Kanika Ahuja, Pooja Vastrakar, Renuka Thakur Singh, Saika Ishaq.
England: Danielle Wyatt, Sophia Dunkley, Alice Capsey, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Heather Knight (Captain), Amy Jones (Wicketkeeper), Freya Kemp, Sophie Ecclestone, Sarah Glenn, Lauren Bell, Maheeka Gaur.
As the Indian women's cricket team steps onto the field after a significant break, this series against England not only serves as preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup but also marks the beginning of a new era under coach Amol Muzumdar. The inclusion of fresh talents like Shreyanka Patil, Saika Ishaq, and others adds an exciting dimension to the team.
