In a breathtaking finish at Edgbaston, Birmingham, England Women pulled off a thrilling 5-wicket win on the final delivery against India Women, chasing down 168 in the 5th and final T20I of the series.
The hosts ended the series with a morale-boosting win, despite losing the series 3-2. The game had everything – explosive batting, tense bowling spells, and a final-ball finish to remember.
🧮 Full Scorecard Snapshot
🇮🇳 India Women Innings – 167/7 (20 overs)
- Shafali Verma – 75 (41) 🔥
- Harmanpreet Kaur – 15 (18)
- Richa Ghosh – 24 (16)
England Bowlers:
- Charlie Dean – 4-0-23-3 🎯
- Sophie Ecclestone – 4-0-28-2
- Linsey Smith – 4-0-26-1
🇬🇧 England Women Innings – 168/5 (20 overs)
- Danni Wyatt-Hodge – 56 (37) 🏏
- Sophia Dunkley – 46 (30)
- Tammy Beaumont – 30 (20)
India Bowlers:
- Deepti Sharma – 4-0-31-2
- Arundhati Reddy – 4-0-47-2
- Radha Yadav – 4-0-20-1
🧨 The Final Over Drama
England needed 6 runs from the final over with two new batters at the crease. Beaumont had fallen to Reddy, and Amy Jones followed two balls later.
But Paige Scholfield and Sophie Ecclestone held their nerve:
- Ball 1: Dot
- Ball 2: 1 run
- Ball 3: 1 run
- Ball 4: 2 runs
- Ball 5: Dot
- Ball 6: Ecclestone drives a full toss through mid-off – VICTORY!
It was a final-ball finish, and the crowd erupted.
🔍 Key Turning Points
- Shafali Verma’s blitzkrieg provided India with an above-par total.
- Dunkley-Wyatt partnership worth 101 runs set the tone.
- Charlie Dean’s triple strike turned the momentum in the field.
- Ecclestone’s cool under pressure sealed the victory.
🧠 What This Win Means for England
Although India clinched the series, England’s last-game win will provide:
- Boost in confidence for the ODI leg
- Validation of their new aggressive batting approach
- Momentum in their rebuilding strategy post the World Cup
Coach Jon Lewis praised the team:
"This kind of win shows the depth and belief in the side. We’re building something strong."
🇮🇳 India’s Positives and Misses
India had their chances:
- Shafali Verma’s 75 was world-class
- Radha Yadav’s spell of 1/20 slowed England mid-innings
However, inconsistent death bowling and fielding lapses cost them.
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur said:
“A learning experience. Credit to England for playing fearless cricket till the last ball."
🌟 Player of the Match
Danni Wyatt-Hodge – A fluent and aggressive 56 off 37 balls, setting the tone for England’s successful chase.
📊 Series Recap
| Match | Winner | Margin |
|---|---|---|
| 1st T20I | India Women | 7 wickets |
| 2nd T20I | India Women | 6 runs |
| 3rd T20I | England Women | Final-ball win |
| 4th T20I | India Women | 8 wickets |
| 5th T20I | England Women | Final-ball win |
India Women won the series 3-2, but England closed with back-to-back thrilling wins.
🙋 FAQs
Q1: Who won the 5th T20I between England Women and India Women?
A: England Women won by 5 wickets on the final ball.Q2: Who scored most runs for India?
A: Shafali Verma – 75 off 41 balls.Q3: Who took the most wickets for England?
A: Charlie Dean – 3 wickets.Q4: Who was Player of the Match?
A: Danni Wyatt-Hodge.Q5: What’s next in the tour?
A: The ODI series between England and India Women.🏁 Final Thoughts
This final-ball victory gave England a winning send-off in the T20 series and showed their depth and character. Though India dominated the first half of the series, England’s strong comeback proves they remain a force in women’s cricket.
As both teams now prepare for the ODIs, cricket fans can expect more closely fought contests between these world-class sides.
🎯 Stay tuned for the ODI series preview, match updates, and exclusive post-match reactions!