England A women bounced back in style to level the T20 series against India A women, executing a clinical chase to secure a comfortable victory. In a game defined by small margins and high strike rates, the hosts chased down a formidable target of 173 with 9 balls to spare.
A competitive target set by India A women
Earlier, England A won the toss and elected to field first. India A’s opening pair encountered an early setback when Deeya Yadav was dismissed for 12 in the fifth over. But the innings quickly gained momentum thanks to a stellar partnership between Vrinda Dinesh and Purvaja Verlekar (30). The duo shared a blazing 50-run stand off just 40 deliveries to lay a solid foundation.
Dinesh was the architect of the Indian innings, anchoring the side beautifully while effortlessly clearing the boundaries. She marched to a brilliant half-century and finished on 79, including 10 boundaries and three towering sixes. Following her dismissal, captain Anushka Sharma provided the finishing touch with a 25-ball 37. India A crossed the 150-mark in the 18th over and finished at a competitive 172/4.
Kira Chathli takes England A women home
However, any hopes India A had of defending the total evaporated quickly under a ferocious England A Powerplay assault. After losing the opener, Ella McCaughan cheaply, the fellow opener Grace Scrivens and the captain Kira Chathli brought up the team’s 50 in just 4.6 overs. Scrivens set the tone with a rapid 39 off 26 balls, but it was Chathli who completely stole the show.
Chathli looked unstoppable, blasting a sensational half-century in just 25 balls, featuring nine boundaries and a six. Her explosive batting ensured England A stayed well ahead of the required run rate, reaching 100 in the 10th over. Despite losing wickets in the middle overs, including Chathli for 53 immediately after she reached the landmark, followed by Jodi Grewcock and Charis Pavely, the hosts never panicked.
England A crossed the 150-mark in the 17th over and wrapped up the chase comfortably to level the series. Bess Heath remained unbeaten on 40 off 23 deliveries. It leaves everything to play for in the final T20 showdown.
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