England Edge India in Final-Ball Thriller to Stay Alive in T20I Series.
In a match brimming with drama, momentum shifts, and nerves, England Women pulled off a stunning 5-run win over India in the third T20I at The Oval on July 4. With this victory, they not only ended India’s winning streak but also kept the five-match series alive at 2-1.
Flying Start, Sudden Crash
Facing a must-win game, England couldn’t have asked for a better start. Sophia Dunkley (75 off 53) and Danni Wyatt-Hodge (66 off 42) tore into the Indian attack with a blistering 137-run opening stand — their best in T20Is.
From 137/0, England looked set for 190+. Instead, they collapsed to 171/9, undone by India’s excellent comeback led by Deepti Sharma (3/25) and Arundhati Reddy (3/29). Shreyanka Patil added two wickets of her own, triggering a collapse that saw England lose 9 wickets for just 34 runs in the last five overs.
India’s Openers Fire, But Middle-Order Falters
India responded strongly, with Shafali Verma (47 off 25) and Smriti Mandhana (51 off 38) putting on 85 runs for the first wicket. England’s fielding woes continued — dropped catches and misfields — as India looked well on course.
But the momentum swung again when Sophie Ecclestone dismissed Shafali, and Lauren Filer’s pace rattled the middle-order with key wickets of Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues. Suddenly, from coasting, India were under pressure.
Final-Over Pressure: England Hold Their Nerve
With 20 needed from 12 balls, captain Harmanpreet Kaur and Richa Ghosh were India’s best bet. But Ghosh fell to a sensational catch from Charlie Dean, and the runs started drying up.
In the final over, Lauren Bell kept her cool. Needing six off the last ball, Harmanpreet went for the big shot — but could only find Ecclestone at mid-off, handing England a thrilling win.
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