ENG-W vs IND-W 2025: Spinners make all the difference in colossal 97-run win in T20I series opener

ENG-W vs IND-W 2025, First T20I: Players celebrating a wicket taken by Shree Charani (Source: BCCI)

India Women registered a comprehensive 97-run win against England Women in the first T20I of the five-match series at Trent Bridge. It was a truly dominant all-round performance from the visitors, who handed out a resounding loss to the hosts; their biggest margin of defeat in T20Is (by runs).

One major factor for the same was a contrast in performances by the two sides' spinners. Those from England leaked way too many runs and picked up only one wicket. On the other hand, the Indians spun a web on the opposition, from which the latter could not escape through.

England's spinners conceded 105 runs taking only one wicket in the eight overs they bowled. The sole wicket was by Sophie Ecclestone of Smriti Mandhana in the final over of the innings after she had scored her first T20I ton (112 off 62) and done all the damage in the innings where India batted first.

Taking the charge in defending the target, India's spin-bowling unit was ruthless. Their accurate lines and lengths proved too much for the home side, who ended up falling as many as eight times in 10.5 overs. It wasn't even as if they could score a lot of runs off them. They were only able to score a sparse 72 runs. Four of the eight wickets were snapped by T20I debutant, Shree Charani, who ended up with magnificent figures of 4/12 in 3.5 overs.

Earlier in the game, it was Smriti's brilliance with the bat which powered India to a total of 210/5 at the end of 20 overs. Her swashbuckling century comprised 15 fours and three sixes. Harleen Deol (43 off 23) played a vital innings too.

The two sides will now arrive at the County Ground in Bristol for the second T20 fixture of the tour. That particular game will be a night match, scheduled to commence at 11 pm (IST) on Tuesday, July 1. The Indians will obviously look to build on their splendid performance and aim on securing a 2-0 lead.