England Women Beat India Women by 5 Runs in Thrilling T20 Match

England Women’s cricket team won a close match against India Women by just 5 runs in the third T20 International at The Oval. This exciting game kept the five-match series alive. India still leads the series 2-1.

England’s Strong Start

England won the toss and chose to bat first. Their openers, Sophia Dunkley and Danni Wyatt-Hodge, gave them a great start. They added 137 runs for the first wicket. Dunkley scored 75 runs off 53 balls, hitting 7 fours and 1 six. Wyatt-Hodge made 66 runs from 42 balls, with 7 fours and 3 sixes.

But after Dunkley got out in the 16th over, England’s batting collapsed. They lost 9 wickets for just 31 runs in only 25 balls. Deepti Sharma and Arundhati Reddy bowled well and took 3 wickets each. England finished their innings at 171 for 9 in 20 overs.

India’s Chase

India started their chase strongly. Openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma added 85 runs for the first wicket. Shafali scored 47 runs from 25 balls, while Mandhana made 56 runs off 49 balls.

India looked in control for most of the innings. But after Mandhana got out in the 16th over, the pressure increased. England bowlers Lauren Filer, Issy Wong, and Lauren Bell bowled tight overs at the end.

India needed 12 runs in the final over. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur was at the crease. But Bell bowled a brilliant last over. Harmanpreet was caught on the final ball while trying to hit a six. India ended at 166 for 5, falling short by just 5 runs.

Player of the Match

Sophia Dunkley was named Player of the Match for her excellent batting. Her 75-run knock gave England a strong base.

Key Performers

Team	Top Batter	Top Bowler
England	Sophia Dunkley (75)	Lauren Filer (2/30)
India	Smriti Mandhana (56)	Deepti Sharma (3/27)

What’s Next?

The fourth T20 match will be played on July 9 at Old Trafford, Manchester. India still leads the series 2-1. England must win the next match to stay in the series.