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The Indian women’s cricket team recently etched their name in history by clinching their first-ever T20I series victory on English soil, defeating England 3–2 in the five-match contest. The triumph not only delighted fans but also impressed legendary cricketer Anjum Chopra, who spoke highly of the team’s performance in an exclusive conversation with Cricket Times. She was particularly full of praise for openers Shafali Verma and vice-captain Smriti Mandhana.
According to Anjum, both batters set the tone with confident starts and displayed consistency throughout the series. She believes this victory sends a strong message about the growth of Indian women’s cricket. Here are some key excerpts from the discussion.
1) Thoughts on India’s maiden T20I series win in England
Anjum: It felt amazing. The way the girls performed in the series was commendable. Smriti’s century in the first T20 set the tone, followed by a crucial partnership between Amanjot Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues in the second when the team was in trouble. Radha Yadav bowled an impressive spell, and Shafali also contributed well. It truly felt like every player took responsibility and gave their all to ensure the win. This approach in T20 cricket from the Indian side was wonderful to see.
2) Shafali Verma’s comeback after a year-long absence
Out of the national team since October 2024, Shafali made her return for the England series after impressive performances in domestic cricket and the WPL. She shone in the final T20I with a match-winning 75.
Anjum: Her confidence will definitely be higher now. In the first two games she got starts but couldn’t convert them, but in the later matches, she brought stability to her batting. This will help her going forward. Whenever a player returns after a break, it’s almost like making a second debut — you want to make an instant impact. I’m sure she has been working hard on her game, and if she keeps up her form while India continues to perform well, it’s a very encouraging sign for our cricket.
Also READ: ICC Women’s T20I Team Rankings
3) Smriti Mandhana’s historic milestone
Mandhana’s century in the first T20I not only helped India start the series on a high but also made her the first Indian woman to score centuries in all three formats.
Anjum: It’s fantastic to see Smriti consistently scoring centuries across formats and delivering runs everywhere she plays. When she scores, it has a direct impact on the team’s success. Her batting also puts psychological pressure on the opposition. The more she dominates in international cricket, the better it will be for her and for the Indian team.
4) Rising star Shree Charani’s impact
Shree Charani has been making headlines with 10 wickets in just five T20Is, including a stunning four-wicket haul in the series opener against England.
Anjum: She’s made the most of her opportunities and left a strong impression. Competing with the likes of Deepti Sharma, Radha, and Sneh Rana is not easy, yet she’s stayed focused and confident. You can see her improving with every match. Winning Player of the Series on her first England tour with ten wickets is outstanding. It’s even more impressive that a bowler received the award in a T20 series. This is a huge positive for the Indian team and for women’s cricket in the country.
This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
