4th T20I: India women aim to seal series versus improving England

Up 2-1 in the five-game series but after the hosts snatched a five-run win in the last game, India women have their task cut out at Old Trafford

New Delhi: India will bid to bounce back and seal the women’s T20I series on Wednesday when they take on England in the fourth game of the series at Old Trafford, Manchester. The visitors lost the third game at the Oval by five runs after Sophia Dunkley’s brilliant 75 of 53 balls helped England eke out a narrow win and keep the series alive.

Sophia Dunkley’s brilliant 75 of 53 balls helped England eke out a narrow win in the third T20I and keep the series alive. (Reuters)

Speaking after her Player-of-the-Match performance, Dunkley reflected on the win. “India came out and batted really well in both games. It’s been a challenge, but we talked about how we want to improve. Hopefully we can keep building on that,” she told HT in an interview facilitated by Sony Sports.

England’s response was also about mindset, which Dunkley credits new captain Nat Sciver-Brunt and coach Charlotte Edwards for instilling in them. The new era began with a clean sweep against West Indies in ODIs and T20Is. Until they ran into India. Not only did India out-bat England in the first two games, their spinners also pegged down the home batters.

Dunkley was happy to anchor England’s chase with clean hitting. “Naturally, I love opening the batting in T20 cricket. My role is to get the team off to a good start and I’ve been thinking a little smarter about my options.”