In a charming conclusion to the five-match sequence, England Girls clinched a dramatic five-wicket victory over India Women in the 5th T20I at Edgbaston. The match, a high-scoring affair that went all the way down to the final ball, noticed England chase down India’s difficult complete of 167. Regardless of the loss within the closing encounter, India Girls celebrated a momentous achievement, securing the five-match T20I sequence 3-2, marking their first-ever bilateral T20I sequence win on English soil.
Shafali Verma’s brilliance meets Charlie Dean’s decisiveness
Having gained the toss, England Girls opted to bowl first, a call that originally appeared to backfire as India’s dynamic opener Shafali Verma unleashed a sensational show of energy hitting. Verma dominated the Indian innings, smashing a blistering 75 runs off simply 41 deliveries, an innings laced with 13 fours and a six. Her aggressive strategy offered India with a robust basis, propelling them to a formidable rating. Nonetheless, England’s spinners, notably Charlotte Dean, managed to stem the move of runs and decide up essential wickets. Dean was the standout bowler for England, delivering a decisive spell of 4 overs for less than 23 runs whereas claiming three very important wickets. She accounted for the prized scalps of India’s captain Harmanpreet Kaur (15), the damaging Shafali Verma herself, and Deepti Sharma (7), successfully disrupting India’s middle-order momentum. Sophie Ecclestone additionally contributed considerably with two wickets for 28 runs, guaranteeing India’s complete remained inside attain at 167/7 after their allotted 20 overs.
England’s resilient chase and last-ball drama
In pursuit of 168, England’s opening pair of Sophia Dunkley and Danielle Wyatt-Hodge offered a dream begin, laying a stable basis with a commanding 101-run partnership. Wyatt-Hodge, celebrating her three hundredth worldwide look, led the cost with a fluent 56 runs off 37 balls, adorned with 9 boundaries. Dunkley supported her properly with a brisk 46 off 30 deliveries. Nonetheless, as soon as the openers departed, India’s bowlers mounted a spirited comeback. Deepti Sharma spearheaded this fightback, selecting up two essential wickets for 31 runs, whereas Radha Yadav bowled an exceptionally economical spell, conceding simply 20 runs and taking one wicket.
The match culminated in an exhilarating closing over, with England needing six runs for victory. India’s Arundhati Reddy bowled with immense strain, taking two fast wickets, together with the dismissal of England captain Tammy Beaumont (30) and Amy Jones (10), to push the sport to the wire. With only one run required off the ultimate ball, England’s decrease order held their nerve, scampering a single to seal a memorable five-wicket win.
Right here’s the video:
As tense because it will get! 😬
A closing ball thriller! 🙌
Unbelievable drama at Edgbaston 🏟
Full fifth IT20 highlights 👇 pic.twitter.com/EB1iiGeGOM— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 13, 2025
Additionally READ: BCCI announces India A Women squads for Australia tour, Shafali Verma returns
Participant of the Match and Participant of the Collection
Charlie Dean’s impactful bowling efficiency earned her the Participant of the Match award, whereas India’s Shree Charani was acknowledged because the Participant of the Collection for her constant contributions all through the match. The sequence now transitions to the ODI format, with the first ODI scheduled for Wednesday, July 16, at The Rose Bowl.
Additionally READ: Deepti Sharma withdraws from The Hundred 2025 – here’s the reason
This text was first printed at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times firm.
