Formidable England pose significant challenge for India women in 2nd T20I | Cricket News – Times of India

In a bid to level the three-match series, India is eager to exhibit an improved performance, particularly in the bowling and fielding departments, as they face a formidable England in the second women’s T20I on Saturday.
England continued their dominance over India, securing a commanding 38-run victory to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. This marked England’s 21st win in 28 T20Is against India, with eight victories in their last ten matches in the country.

India struggled to adapt to the conditions and committed noticeable errors in the first game, resulting in a one-sided contest.

On a flat pitch favoring the batters, India employed four different spinners, including the debutant Kanika Ahuja, but England capitalized, amassing 121 runs, losing only three wickets.
Despite debuting left-arm spinners Shreyanka Patil (2/44) and Saika Ishaque (1/38), both proved to be erratic and expensive in their respective four-over spells. Senior spinner Deepti Sharma (0/28) wasn’t entrusted with completing her quota of overs.
Indian spinners delivered short balls and full tosses, allowing England batters, especially Danni Wyatt and Nat Sciver-Brunt, to dominate. The only positive in India’s bowling was seamer Renuka Singh Thakur, who had left England reeling at 2 for 2 in the opening over.

However, India not only allowed England to stage a comeback but also failed to regain control throughout the match. England’s spin pair of Sophie Ecclestone (3/15 in 4 overs) and Sarah Glenn (1/25) created problems for India’s batters with precise line and length.
Despite opener Shafali Verma’s half-century (52) and promising contributions from Harmanpreet Kaur (26), India fell short in their chase of 198. Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues failed to make an impact on a batting-friendly track.
India need significant improvements to challenge England, whose fielders were relentless and bowlers executed their plans effectively. The team faces a packed schedule, including a one-off Test against England in mid-December and an all-format series against Australia.
While India’s new head coach Amol Muzumdar emphasizes looking to the future, the team’s home record with only four wins in 16 series, cannot be overlooked. India has never beaten England in a T20 series since the inaugural edition in 2006.
To avoid a series loss, India must conjure a special effort to stage a comeback and win the next two games.
(With PTI inputs)