Nottingham, June 28 (UNI) Captain Smriti Mandhana lit up Trent Bridge with her maiden T20I century, smashing 112 off just 62 deliveries as India Women piled up a formidable 210 for 5 in the first T20I against England Women.
Mandhana’ innings was a masterclass in aggressive yet elegant batting, featuring 15 fours and 3 sixes. From the outset, she attacked the English bowlers with confident footwork and clean timing. Her milestone moment came in the 16th over when she lofted Lauren Bell over extra cover to bring up her century off just 51 balls, drawing loud applause and a standing ovation from the Trent Bridge spectators.
India got off to a solid start with Mandhana and Shafali Verma (20 off 22) putting on 77 runs for the opening wicket. Shafali’s three boundaries helped keep the early momentum going before she fell trying to go big off Em Arlott.
Harleen Deol (43 off 23) added more firepower, hitting seven fours in a fluent knock that was eventually halted by a well-judged catch from Arlott near the ropes. Her partnership with Mandhana was worth 94 runs and came at a blistering pace.
After Harleen’s dismissal in the 16th over, India had a brief stutter. Richa Ghosh looked threatening with two boundaries in her 12 but holed out in the deep. Jemimah Rodrigues fell for a duck, caught sharply by Nat Sciver-Brunt.
Bell exploited the middle-order jitters with a triple strike, finishing with 3 for 27.
Mandhana, however, continued undeterred, striking two more boundaries in the 19th over, including one lofted drive that brought up the 200 for India. She finally perished trying to clear extra cover, caught by Sciver-Brunt off Sophie Ecclestone.
Mandhana’s departure was followed by Deepti Sharma’s clever boundary and a handy cameo from Amanjot Kaur, who survived a dropped catch and chipped in with 3 not out.
England Women will now need to chase 211, an uphill task against a spirited Indian bowling attack. The second innings promises to be a thriller under lights.
