IND vs ENG: Freya Kemp powers England past India to level women’s T20I series 1-1

Freya Kemp produced a superb all-round performance as England beat India by 26 runs in the second women’s T20I in Bristol on Saturday to level the three-match series at 1-1.

Kemp smashed an unbeaten 39 off just 13 balls to lift England to 168/5 before returning figures of 2/15, including the prized wickets of Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues, as India were restricted to 142/9 in their chase.

England vs. India Women’s 2nd T20I: MAIN

The deciding third T20I will be played at Taunton on Tuesday.

For most of the evening, India seemed to be in control of England. Young left-arm pacer Shree Charani continued her impressive start to international cricket, finishing with 3/25 to help restrict the hosts through the middle overs.

But Kemp’s late charge changed the complexion of the inning. She hit two sixes and two fours in Arundhati Reddy’s 24-run final as England piled on 39 runs from the last two overs to post what turned out to be a match-winning total.

India started the chase positively through Shafali Verma and Mandhan. Shafali scored 22 off 14 balls while Mandhana hit 32 off 25 deliveries as the visitors reached 78/2 after 10 overs and remained firmly in the chase.

The English spinners then turned the tide. Charlie Dean and Sophie Ecclestone tightened the scoring and forced India to take risks against disciplined bowling.

Dropped by Dean on 29 off his own bowling, Yastika Bhatia struggled to find boundaries and was eventually dismissed after claiming 33 off 36 balls with the required rate rising quickly.

Dean played a key role in England’s comeback, applying pressure through the middle overs and finishing with decisive wickets. Ecclestone was equally effective in keeping the Indian batsmen calm.

India captain Harmanpreet Kaur tried to revive the chase with a quick-ball 28 off 22, including a 6 off Lauren Bell. During her innings, Harmanpreet became only the third women’s T20I batsman to complete 4,000 runs, joining Suzie Bates and Mandhana.

However, England continued to strike at crucial moments. Kemp removed Rodrigues shortly after her arrival, while Dean dismissed Richa Ghosh and Harmanpreet within four deliveries to leave India reeling.

Harmanpreet’s release proved decisive as she pushed Dean behind and tried to force the pace. With the required rate rising sharply and wickets falling regularly, India could not recover.

Earlier, England endured a slow start and managed just 35/1 in the powerplay after Nandini Sharma dismissed Sophia Dunkley in the 10th over.

Danni Wyatt-Hodge and Amy Jones added 36 runs to steady the innings but Charani broke the partnership by dismissing Wyatt-Hodge for 29. The spinner struck again to remove Jones for 28 to keep England in check.

Alice Capsey contributed 28 runs before Shreyanka Patil ended her innings, leaving England lacking momentum heading into the closing stages.

That changed dramatically once Kemp arrived at the crease. Her explosive unbeaten knock lifted England to a competitive total and ultimately laid the foundations for a victory that kept the series alive and heading for a decider.

– The end

Issued by:

Saurabh Kumar

Published on:

30 May 2026 22:49 IST