With the women’s T20I series finely poised, England managed to claw their way back into contention thanks to a standout performance from Sophia Dunkley in the third match at The Oval. Dunkley’s composed 75 off 53 deliveries proved decisive, helping England secure a narrow five-run victory and ensuring the series heads to Old Trafford with everything still to play for.
India Dominate Early, But Dunkley Turns the Tide
India, who had dominated the opening two matches with both bat and ball, looked set to clinch the series before Dunkley’s innings shifted the momentum. Reflecting on the hard-fought win, Dunkley acknowledged the challenge posed by the visitors. She told HT in an interview facilitated by Sony Sports:
“India came out and batted really well in both games. It’s been a challenge, but we talked about how we want to improve. Hopefully, we can keep building on that.”
India had posted huge scores in the first two games, starting with 210 in the opening encounter, followed by 181 in the second.
New Leadership, Renewed Fight
England’s resurgence has coincided with the fresh leadership of captain Nat Sciver-Brunt and coach Charlotte Edwards. The team had recently enjoyed a successful run against the West Indies, sweeping both the ODI and T20I series, but found themselves tested by a confident Indian side.
Dunkley spoke highly of skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt:
“She’s a real leader in world cricket. Her calmness, even when it’s chaotic on the pitch, gives us confidence. She encourages us to be ourselves even when things haven’t gone well.”
England still trail 1-2 in the five-match series, making today’s encounter at Old Trafford a must-win for the home side.
Dunkley Embraces Opening Role
“Naturally, I love opening the batting in T20 cricket. My role is to get the team off to a good start, and I’ve been thinking a little smarter about my options.”
Dunkley, on opening the batting, relished the responsibility of setting the tone for England’s chase, focusing on smart shot selection and calculated aggression. She has contributed 83 runs in the series, with a highest score of 75, showcasing her value as an aggressive right-handed opener.
N Shree Charani: India’s Breakout Star says Sophia Dunkley
India’s emerging spinner N Shree Charani has been a revelation, troubling the English batters with her variations and already claiming eight wickets in the series. Dunkley praised Charani’s impact:
“She’s had an exceptional start. A lot of us hadn’t faced her before, but she’s offered something different and has definitely sparked conversations in the dressing room.”
The 20-year-old left-arm spinner took 4 wickets for just 12 runs in 3.5 overs in the first T20I at Trent Bridge, helping India secure a 97-run win—their biggest T20I victory over England. Charani is currently the leading wicket-taker of the series and has been highly impressive with the ball in hand.
Eyes on the ODI World Cup 2025 in India
With the T20I series set for a thrilling conclusion, Dunkley is already looking ahead to the upcoming ODI World Cup in India, aware of the unique challenges posed by subcontinental conditions.
“It’s an amazing place to play. The atmosphere will be unmatched and the conditions might challenge us. It might obviously be a bit more spin-friendly, and off-pace bowling might be key.”
The 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup will be hosted by India and Sri Lanka, scheduled from 30 September to 2 November 2025.
Series Decider Set for Old Trafford
As both teams prepare for the fourth T20I at Old Trafford, the stage is set for another gripping encounter—with momentum, confidence, and bragging rights up for grabs ahead of a packed international calendar.
