In the one-off Test at DY Patil Sports Academy, Mumbai, England’s struggle was evident, with Nat Sciver-Brunt’s sole half-century being the team’s highlight. However, her quick dismissal in the second innings marked the beginning of England’s downfall.
During this three-day Test match, India demonstrated their dominance by first scoring a substantial 428 and declaring their second innings at 186-6. Harmanpreet Kaur played a captain’s innings with an unbeaten 44, while Dean impressed with her bowling figures.
England, in response, crumbled under the pressure, managing a meager 136 in the first innings and collapsing to 131 in the second. The star of the show was India’s Deepti Sharma, who claimed 4-32, culminating in nine wickets for the match. Pooja Vastrakar also shone brightly with a 3-23 spell.
This match marked a historic win for India, as it was the first time they overpowered England in a home Test.
India’s strategic declaration set a monumental target for England, which turned out to be the highest-ever chase in women’s Test cricket. The English team faced the daunting task of either chasing this mammoth score or surviving two days for a draw.
The Indian bowling attack, particularly the seamers, were in formidable form on day three. Renuka Singh Thakur and Pooja Vastrakar devastated the English batting line-up, with Vastrakar notably dismissing Sciver-Brunt for a duck.
England’s middle order seemed visibly shaken and out of form, unable to cope with the demanding pitch conditions. Captain Heather Knight managed to score 21, the highest for the team, while Charlie Dean remained unbeaten at 20.
Despite the challenging conditions, England’s performance was underwhelming, especially considering this was their first Test in India.
England’s Captain Heather Knight commented on the ‘super extreme’ conditions, while Deepti Sharma was lauded as the ‘Ben Stokes of our team’. England’s defeat was significant, demonstrating India’s ruthless approach and their prowess in exploiting the below-par performance of the English team. Sharma’s brilliant performance earned her the player of the match title.
England’s batting woes were highlighted as they set a record for the least overs batted in a women’s Test innings. The pitch, although favoring bowlers, wasn’t unplayable, with England themselves managing to take six Indian wickets in their second bowling effort. However, India showed how to adeptly bat on such a pitch on day one.
England’s players, most of whom were inexperienced in Test cricket, especially in Indian conditions, faced a challenging task. While the English bowlers, particularly Lauren Bell and Charlie Dean, showed promise, the batting unit collapsed twice, indicating a significant area for improvement.
As India prepares for their upcoming Test against Australia, this victory serves as a major boost. It’s not just a triumph for India but also a significant milestone for women’s cricket globally.
Reflecting on the match, India’s captain Harmanpreet Kaur praised her team’s execution of their game plan and the collective effort, particularly highlighting Vastrakar’s performance. Conversely, England’s captain Heather Knight acknowledged the uniqueness of the experience and the learnings it offered, despite the unfavorable outcome.
BBC’s Henry Moeran emphasized the importance of this victory for India and the broader implications for women’s Test cricket. With India’s potential success against Australia, there is hope for increased enthusiasm and support for red-ball cricket in women’s sports.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Crushing Victory
What was the key highlight of the India vs. England Test match in Mumbai?
The key highlight was India’s historic 347-run victory, marking the first time they beat England in a home Test.
Who were the standout performers in the match?
Deepti Sharma was the star with nine wickets and a crucial first-innings 67, earning her the player of the match title. Pooja Vastrakar’s impressive bowling also played a vital role.
How did England perform in their innings?
England struggled, managing only 136 and 131 in their two innings. Their second innings set a record for the fewest overs batted in a women’s Test innings.
What were the pitch conditions like?
The pitch offered assistance to both spinners and seamers, but it wasn’t unplayable. India’s batsmen demonstrated how to handle it effectively on day one.
What’s the significance of this victory for women’s cricket?
This victory is a major milestone for women’s cricket, highlighting India’s dominance and the potential for increased support and interest in women’s Test cricket.
More about Crushing Victory
- India women crush England by 347 runs in Test
- Deepti Sharma stars as India women beat England by 347 runs
- India Women vs England Women Test: Deepti Sharma’s All-Round Show Helps India Women Crush England by 347 Runs
- England Women’s batting nightmares continue in India
- India women crush England in one-off Test
4 comments
even tho its cricket, tech in sports makin a diff, gud article!
wow, Indias win waz epic! england cudnt handl the bowlin, Sharma rocked it!
england’s batsmen strugld big time, india’s win historic, gr8 job!
gr8 read on cricket, wish England did bettr tho 🙁