The stage is set for the finale as India Women take on England Women in the fifth and final T20I of the series. With the series currently tilted 3-1 in India’s favour after a remarkable 6-wicket win in the fourth T20I, the visitors have already made history by clinching their first-ever T20I series victory over England. What began as a tightly contested rivalry has now seen India rise with grit, precision, and intent turning the tide in a manner few predicted.
India showcased a commanding all-round display in the fourth T20I to not just reclaim momentum but also seal the series in style. After England chose to bat, they were held to a below-par 126/7, with Indian spinners Radha Yadav and Shree Charani weaving pressure through tight lines and smart variations.
Chasing the target, openers Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana laid the foundation with a fiery 56-run stand in the powerplay. While England briefly managed to claw back during the middle overs, captain Harmanpreet Kaur steadied the innings before Jemimah Rodrigues calmly guided India home with an unbeaten 24*.
The 6-wicket victory, completed with three overs to spare, not only secured the match but also handed India their first-ever T20I series win on English soil, a moment of historic significance for the team. With form, history, and milestones colliding, the 5th T20I promises one last thrilling chapter in what has been a landmark series for Indian women’s cricket.
Squads:
England Women’s Cricket Team
Nat Sciver-Brunt (C), Emily Arlott, Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Alice Capsey, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Amy Jones, Paige Scholfield, Linsey Smith, Danielle Wyatt-Hodge, Issy Wong
India Women’s Cricket Team
Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (WK), Yastika Bhatia (WK), Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Sree Charani, Amanjot Kaur, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gaud, Sayali Satghare, Radha Yadav
Players to watch out:
Radha Yadav
Radha has been India’s go-to bowler in the middle overs and proved her worth yet again with a match-winning spell of 2/15 in the fourth T20I, earning her the Player of the Match award. A consistent performer in the shortest format, Radha has now picked up 102 wickets from 85 WT20I innings, with her best figures being 2/23. Her tight lines and ability to break partnerships under pressure make her a key asset.
Jemimah Rodrigues
Calm under pressure, Jemimah once again showed her class with an unbeaten 24* off 22 balls to steer India to victory in the fourth T20I. She brings composure to India’s middle order. In 98 WT20I innings, she has amassed 2374 runs, with a personal best of 76, proving to be a reliable performer in high stakes matches.
Issy Wong
England’s emerging pace sensation Issy Wong impressed with figures of 1/18 in 3 overs in the previous match. Though still early in her international career, Wong has shown plenty of promise. From 16 WT20Is, she has taken 13 wickets, with best figures of 2/10. Known for her raw pace and aggressive approach, she is one to watch for the future.
Sophie Ecclestone
Sophie added a fiery finish with the bat, smashing an unbeaten 16* off 10 balls at a strike rate of 160 in the last game. But it’s her bowling that continues to shine, she remains the world’s No.5 ranked T20I bowler with a phenomenal 140 wickets in 99 WT20I innings, and a best of 4/18. Her control, consistency, and ability to deliver under pressure make her a game-changer with both ball and bat.
Pitch:
The center strip at Edgbaston is known to be a good surface that initially favors fast bowlers with seam movement and bounce, especially under overcast conditions. As the match progresses, the pitch is expected to flatten out, providing better batting conditions.
Weather:
The conditions are set to be bright and sunny with clear skies. The temperatures will hover around 30°C, offering a warm yet comfortable atmosphere. Humidity is relatively low at 34% with no chance of precipitation, it’s expected to be perfect for a day of cricket.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Richa Ghosh, Amy Jones, Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Alice Capsey, Deepti Sharma, Sophie Ecclestone, Radha Yadav, Issy Wong, N Sree Charani
Match Details:
Date – July 12, 2025
Time – 11:05 PM IST
Venue – Edgbaston, Birmingham
Broadcast – The game will be live-streamed on the FanCode app and website.
