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The Indian women’s cricket team recently scripted history by winning both the T20I and ODI series against England on their home turf—an achievement that has earned praise from cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar. The Harmanpreet Kaur-led side clinched the tightly contested T20I series 3-2 and sealed the ODI series 2-1, marking their first series wins in England in both formats. Tendulkar believes these wins will be a critical confidence boost as the team prepares for two major upcoming World Cups: the ODI World Cup co-hosted by India starting September 30, 2025, and the 2026 T20 World Cup in England.
Sachin Tendulkar praises India women for their outstanding performance against England
“Winning in England is always a challenge,” Tendulkar remarked on Reddit, emphasizing the significance of India’s performance across both T20Is and ODIs. England’s conditions—known for swing-friendly bowling and challenging weather—test a team’s preparation and mental strength, and India’s success reflects their evolving mindset and grit. Tendulkar highlighted how the victories underscore the team’s collective effort and preparation, praising not only the leadership of Kaur but the contributions of several standout performers.
The series opener saw vice-captain Smriti Mandhana unleash her maiden T20I century, setting a positive tone from the outset. Kaur continued to lead from the front, scoring a crucial century in the deciding ODI that anchored India’s historic win. On the bowling front, 21-year-old Kranti Goud made headlines by becoming the youngest Indian pacer and only the fifth overall to claim a six-wicket haul in the third ODI under high-pressure conditions. Tendulkar acknowledged that beyond these individual feats, many players stepped up at key moments, showcasing depth across the squad.
Confidence for the upcoming World Cups and beyond
With India set to host the ODI World Cup alongside Sri Lanka later this year and then compete in the T20 World Cup in England in 2026, Tendulkar sees these victories as a cornerstone to build long-term belief and ambition. He added, “These performances will give the team a lot of confidence going forward. With two World Cups on the horizon, this will be vital for the belief it builds.”
The momentum gained from overcoming England in their own backyard is invaluable preparation for the challenges to come, especially as India gear up to face world champions Australia in a home ODI series starting September 14, just ahead of the World Cup. This historic double series win not only signals the rising stature of India’s women’s cricket but also serves as a powerful message that they are formidable contenders on the global stage.
This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
