England Women edged past India Women by just five runs in a last-ball thriller during the intense third T20I of the five-match series at the Kia Oval. The victory kept the hosts alive in the series, reducing India’s lead to 2-1.

Despite England’s early dominance with the bat, they nearly let the game slip after collapsing from 137 for 0 to 168 all out, losing nine wickets for just 31 runs in 25 balls. However, England managed to defend the total, thanks to a late burst from their bowlers and crucial wickets at the death.

Dunkley and Wyatt-Hodge shine, then England collapse

Sophia Dunkley and Danni Wyatt-Hodge gave England a flying start. They stitched together a 137-run opening partnership by the 16th over. Dunkley struck 75 off 53 balls, her best knock since an unbeaten 81 against the West Indies earlier in the summer. Wyatt-Hodge also found her form with 66 from 42 balls, ending a string of poor scores.

She reached her half-century in style, hitting Sneh Rana for back-to-back boundaries. “She raised her half-century... with consecutive fours, driven through the covers and flicked over midwicket.”

However, the batting order crumbled once their partnership broke. Deepti Sharma and Arundhati Reddy triggered the collapse, each grabbing three wickets, while N. Shree Charani took two. England fell apart quickly, finishing their innings far below expectations.

Charani, Deepti, Arundhati turn the tide

India’s bowlers delivered under pressure. Charani struck twice in two balls, removing Paige Scholfield and Issy Wong. Deepti followed with wickets of Ecclestone and Filer in consecutive deliveries of the final over. Dunkley’s solid innings ended when she mistimed a full toss from Deepti and was caught.

Reddy’s slower balls proved effective too. She dismissed Wyatt-Hodge, who hit one straight to Harmanpreet Kaur, and then trapped Amy Jones lbw. The review overturned the on-field call, giving India a crucial breakthrough.

India’s chase begins with confidence

India’s reply was steady and confident. Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma built an 85-run opening stand. Mandhana displayed elegant strokeplay and reached her half-century in 38 balls. Shafali, who had struggled in earlier matches, played a more aggressive role, smashing 47 off 25 balls with seven boundaries.

Mandhana, who had scored a century in the first T20I, continued her good form. Her innings came to an end when she picked out Ecclestone at mid-on off Lauren Filer’s bowling.

Filer's pace stuns India

Lauren Filer’s pace made the difference in the middle overs. She bowled with intensity, especially in her last over where she dismissed Mandhana and struck Richa Ghosh on the helmet the next ball. “She didn’t let up, striking Richa Ghosh on the helmet with her very next ball...”

Rodrigues also fell to Filer earlier, edging behind. Wong and Ecclestone contributed with a wicket each, tightening the pressure on India in the final overs.

Fielding errors from both sides

Fielding was poor on both ends. India dropped multiple chances, including two off Charani’s bowling. Rodrigues missed two opportunities to dismiss Wyatt-Hodge, and Harmanpreet dropped Dunkley at cover.

England too were sloppy. Bell dropped a sitter from Shafali, and Capsey missed a catch off Harmanpreet. Scholfield dropped Amanjot Kaur in the final over, almost costing England the match.

Final over drama

India needed 12 runs off the last six balls. After a dropped catch and a dot ball, Harmanpreet was left with six needed off the final delivery. She aimed for a boundary but found Ecclestone at mid-off, handing England a thrilling win. “Harmanpreet picked out Ecclestone at mid-off and England sealed an unlikely victory.”

Brief Scorecard