India’s tour of England 2025 so far has been action-packed. The visitors arrived about a week ahead of the series, which helped the players acclimatize and the practice matches also played a key role in their early success on this tour.
Even before the matches began, they were seen working hard as they actively took part in catching, fielding, batting, bowling, and fitness sessions with full enthusiasm and discipline. This hard work and discipline have clearly been reflected in the first two matches of the five-match T20 International series. India has dominated the hosts, with a new match-winner emerging in each game.
However, with a long tour ahead that includes three T20I and three One-Day International (ODI) matches, taking time to rest and enjoy between practice sessions and matches is equally important.
After India Head Coach Amol Muzumdar organised a six-hitting competition to help players improve their range-hitting and enjoy some fun between sessions, bowling coach Aavishkar Salvi came up with a bowl-out challenge for the players.
The bowling coach was heard saying, “Why should the batters have all the fun?” That’s why he decided to organise a bowl-out competition. In the video, he explains that similar to the range-hitting competition, the squad was divided into three groups of five players each. The rule for the bowl-out was simple: hit the stumps on a legal delivery.
Team A featured captain Harmanpreet Kaur, left-arm spinners Radha Yadav and Shree Charani, medium-pacer Sayali Satghare, and wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh.
Team B consisted of vice-captain Smriti Mandhana, off-spinner Sneh Rana, pacer Kranti Goud, and batters Harleen Deol and Yastika Bhatia.
Team C comprised off-spinning all-rounder Deepti Sharma, senior medium-pacer Arundhati Reddy, top-order batters Jemimah Rodrigues and Shafali Verma, and fast-bowling all-rounder Amanjot Kaur.
For Team A, Radha Yadav hit the bull’s-eye on her very first attempt. She was followed by the young Shree Charani, who found her rhythm and struck in her second try. Pacer Sayali Satghare also hit the target, while skipper Harmanpreet Kaur narrowly missed the stumps.
There was also some light-hearted sledging and playful banter during the competition. Opener Smriti Mandhana was heard teasing one of the batters, saying, “Your bowling is good… but for England,” sparking laughter among the players at the cheeky remark.
The challenge gave us a chance to see some full-time batters trying their hand at bowling and attempting to hit the stumps. Through the bowl-out, they also showcased their unique and often entertaining bowling actions, including those of wicketkeepers Yastika Bhatia and Richa Ghosh, as well as opener Shafali Verma.
For Team B, players like Sneh Rana, Harleen Deol, and Yastika Bhatia gave it their best shot but narrowly missed hitting the stumps.
Regular bowlers like Deepti Sharma and Arundhati Reddy hit the target with precision and shattered the stumps. Reddy’s final attempt ultimately resulted in a tie at 6 points between Team A and Team C.
To decide the winner of the tie, each team selected one bowler for a final face-off. For Team A, experienced Radha Yadav took the stage, while star all-rounder Deepti Sharma represented Team C.
In the super over, Radha missed her initial target, and so did her opponent, Deepti. However, the left-arm spinner finally hit the stumps, while Deepti narrowly missed again. With that, Radha Yadav secured victory for her team.
These sessions are important because they boost team morale, improve skills in a fun and engaging way, and help players bond off the field. They also provide a break from routine practice, keeping the players motivated and mentally fresh during long tours.
India will now face the hosts, England, at Kennington Oval Ground, London, on Friday, July 4. With a 2-0 lead and in excellent form, they will aim to win this match as well and secure their first-ever T20I series victory against England.
Already trailing 0-2, England suffered a major setback as Nat Sciver-Brunt was ruled out of the third T20I due to a groin injury. Senior player Tammy Beaumont will lead the side in her absence, with in-form Maia Bouchier stepping in as the captain’s replacement.
