Another lackluster batting performance from the Women in Blue saw them squander a series losing a 0-2 lead to England in the second T20I on Thursday.
India Women needed a strong batting performance to make a comeback in the series but as the first T20I, batting continued to be their Achilles heels as incisive bowling from England- led by Katherine Brunt [3-17] ensured yet another underwhelming batting display.
Put into bat first by England, India started strongly with skipper Smriti Mandhana hitting Shrubsole for two sixes in the second over. But, Mandhana fell in the very next over and all of a sudden the hosts' found themselves reeling at 3-34. Deepti Sharma and Mithali Raj tried to re-build the fledgling innings but could not instill any momentum to the proceedings as the hosts' finished at a paltry 8-111 in 20 overs.
Danielle Wyatt was at the heart of England's successful run-chase. The opener got her team to a good start, adding 28 for the first wicket with Tammy Beaumont.
Wyatt continued to remain unfazed as wickets fell from the other hand, with Indian spinners in Radha Yadav [1-26], Ekta Bisht [2-23], and Poonam Yadav [1-18] reduced the English to 4-56.
But, in Laura Winfield [29], Wyatt got an able ally as the duo stitched a 47-run stand for the sixth wicket. Deepti Sharma finally accounted for Winfield, but it was too little, too late as Wyatt, 64*, ensured she stayed till the end to take her side past the finishing and inflict a third successive T20I defeat on India.
Brief Score- India Women [8-111, Raj 20, Brunt 3-17] lose to England Women [5-114, Wyatt 64, Ekta Bisht 2-23]