The Indian women’s cricket team has etched a new chapter in its history with a resounding T20I series win against England on their home turf. India clinched a series victory at the Old Trafford in Manchester, 4th T20I, with a 3-1 series win and a game still to be played. This achievement was not just a testament to skill and strategy, but also to the relentless hard work and collective spirit that has defined the team’s journey.
The foundation for this victory was laid in the special training camps before the tour, where the focus was on all-round development—batting, bowling, fielding, and, most importantly, fitness. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur reflected, “Before coming here, we used to do a lot of special camps where we used to work on specific things like batting, bowling and fielding and the most important part is fitness.
“So, I think today it is showing how girls are getting two runs saved on the field and pressure is being created on the other team and at the same time when we are batting, shooting for doubles, I think the approach that they used in the camp has worked very positively on it and now they are showing us as girls.”
Throughout the series, the Indian bowlers demonstrated remarkable composure, especially in high-pressure situations. Their ability to restrict England in the crucial final overs, the death overs, was pivotal. Smriti Mandhana spoke highly of her bowlers and also emphasized on the brilliant fielding that has contributed to the success of the series victory.
Mandhana reflected, “The way our bowlers bowled in all the four matches, even in the third T20, the way they came back, they restricted them in the last 4-5 overs, they just gave them 25 odd runs. And the way they were clear and our fielding, I would really put it down to these two aspects.” The team’s improved fitness and clarity on the field were evident, contributing significantly to their defensive prowess.
The squad’s determination was clear from the outset, carrying momentum from the first T20 into subsequent games. Their hunger for victory was palpable.
Star Indian all-rounder Deepti Sharma shared her thoughts on the emphatic series victory, saying, “The thing that you wait for and finally when you cross that thing, as a team, when we perform, it feels really good and gives a good excitement.”
Radha Yadav expressed the team’s strong motivation and determination, saying, “There is a motivation that we have to do it. We have been playing good cricket for a long time, but we are not able to do it through that. So, this is a special opportunity for us.”
The captain of the Indian team, Harmanpreet Kaur, and her deputy, Smriti Mandhana, both spoke on behalf of the team to thank fans across the world, saying, “To all the fans who turned up wherever we go to play, whether in England or in India — this is for the entire women’s cricket community. We have been working so hard for so many years, and finally, we are creating history for women’s cricket today.”
Indian head coach Amol Muzumdar expressed his pride in the team’s achievement, saying, “It’s amazing what these girls have achieved — a fantastic feeling, especially at Old Trafford, such a historic ground. It’s a lovely feeling to be a part of this. I would like to dedicate this win, this series victory, to the entire nation. This fearless brand of cricket perfectly suits the Indian team, and we will continue to play this way.”
Winning a T20I series in England is a landmark achievement for the Indian women’s cricket team. Their journey, marked by preparation, resilience, and unity, serves as an inspiration—not just for aspiring cricketers, but for sports enthusiasts across the country. This historic triumph at Old Trafford will be remembered as a defining moment in the evolution of women’s cricket in India.
Loves all things female cricket