The Indian Women’s Cricket Team's build-up to their white-ball series against England got off to a stuttering start as they suffered a narrow six-run defeat against the ECB Development Women’s XI in a T20 tour match.
Chasing a steep target of 195, India put up a spirited fight with the bat but were restricted to 188/ 8 in their 20 overs, falling just short in the final over despite contributions from Smriti Mandhana, Richa Ghosh, and captain Harmanpreet Kaur.
Earlier, the ECB Development XI made full use of favourable batting conditions at Beckenham to post 194/ 8. Opener Bryony Smith set the tone with a blistering 62 off 33 balls, hammering eight boundaries and three sixes. Hollie Armitage (48) and Maia Bouchier (35) offered strong support to push the total beyond India’s comfort zone.
India’s bowling, though expensive early on, pulled things back in the second half of the innings. Sneh Rana (2/28) and Amanjot Kaur (2/29) were the pick of the bowlers, while Deepti Sharma and Radha Yadav chipped in with a wicket apiece.
In response, Mandhana led India’s chase with a fluent 47 off 28 deliveries, while Richa Ghosh struck 37 from 23 to keep India in the hunt. Harmanpreet’s 28 added impetus in the middle overs, but tight bowling at the death, particularly from Sarah Glenn (3/29) and Kirstie Gordon (2/38), ensured the hosts held their nerve.
Despite the defeat, the match offered valuable game time and a competitive workout for the Indian side ahead of their T20I series against England, beginning later this week. With positives in both batting and spin bowling, India will look to fine-tune their death bowling and fielding before the main assignment.
