Indian women’s team will be hoping to gain confidence from their successful 2023 in a bid to improve their otherwise poor bilateral record against England in a three-match T20I series. Led by Harmanpreet Kaur, the Indian team has had a fruitful year in T20 cricket, securing a gold medal in the Asian Games, winning an away series against Bangladesh 2-1, and reaching the final of the triangular series in South Africa, alongside West Indies as the third participating team.
The stage is set for an enthralling series as India looks to capitalize on their home advantage and continue their ascent in international women’s cricket. With a blend of experienced stalwarts and emerging talents, the Indian women’s cricket team is poised to take on the formidable challenge posed by England with confidence and skill.
England have already had a training camp in Oman from November 17 to December 2 ahead of their first match against India on December 6. Both India and England had reached the semi-finals T20 World Cup in South Africa and with the next major event scheduled for September-October 2024, this series allows them to fine-tune their preparations for the edition in Bangladesh.
POOR HOME RECORD
India have a far from satisfactory record in home T20Is, as well as against England in general, and the hosts will be hoping for something exceptional. India had only two wins in nine home matches against England, with their most recent success coming more than five years ago in March 2018, when they triumphed by eight wickets at the Brabourne Stadium.
India’s overall record against England is equally worrying, with only seven victories from 27 matches. Furthermore, India’s last home T20I success came more than two years ago in March 2021, when they defeated South Africa by nine wickets in Lucknow. Since then, India have lost four games and tied one.
STRONG CORE
Deepti Sharma leads India’s bowling with 19 wickets in 16 matches, but it has been the batters, who have stolen the limelight this year. Harmanpreet averages 35.88 with 323 runs in 13 games and three fifties. Jemimah Rodrigues has 342 runs at 34.20, while vice-captain Smriti Mandhana tops with 369 runs at 28.08 and three fifties in 15 matches. Mandhana also impressed in ‘The Hundred’ with 238 runs in nine games. Harmanpreet had a good Women’s Big Bash League, scoring 321 runs in 14 matches. India’s line-up boasts of three new faces: Shreyanka Patil, Mannat Kashyap, and Saika Ishaque, all spinners.
Kashyap was part of the ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup winning side, while Ishaque claimed the joint-third spot with 15 wickets in the inaugural Women’s Premier League for Mumbai Indians. Patil impressed in the WPL with Royal Challengers Bangalore and became the top wicket-taker in the Women’s Caribbean Premier League, securing nine scalps in five matches as the first Indian to participate in the tournament.
India vs England Squads:
India: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma, Deepti Sharma, Yastika Bhatia (wk), Richa Ghosh (wk), Amanjot Kaur, Shreyanka Patil, Mannat Kashyap, Saika Ishaque, Renuka Singh Thakur, Titas Sadhu, Pooja Vastrakar, Kanika Ahuja, Minnu Mani.
England: Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Alice Capsey, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Mahika Gaur, Danielle Gibson, Sarah Glenn, Bess Heath (wk), Amy Jones (wk), Freya Kemp, Heather Knight (c), Nat Sciver-Brunt, Danielle Wyatt.
