England all-rounder Freya Kemp delivered a match-winning performance to help her side defeat India by 26 runs in the second Women’s T20 International at Bristol on Saturday, leveling the three-match series 1-1.
Kemp first powered England to a competitive total with a blistering unbeaten 39 off just 13 deliveries before returning with the ball to claim crucial wickets, finishing with figures of 2/15. Her dismissals of Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues proved pivotal as India fell short in their chase, ending on 142/9 while pursuing a target of 169.
The series will now be decided in the third and final T20I in Taunton on Tuesday.
Kemp’s Late Blitz Lifts England
For much of the innings, India appeared to have England under control. Left-arm spinner Shree Charani once again impressed, returning figures of 3/25 and helping restrict the hosts through the middle overs.
However, Kemp turned the match in England’s favour with a stunning late assault. She smashed two fours and two sixes during an unbeaten cameo, including a costly final over against Arundhati Reddy that yielded 24 runs. England collected 39 runs from the last two overs to finish on 168/5.
India Start Well But Lose Momentum
India began the chase aggressively, with openers Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana providing a strong foundation.
Shafali scored 22 off 14 balls, while Mandhana contributed 32 from 25 deliveries. At 78/2 after 10 overs, India appeared firmly in contention.
England’s spin attack, led by Charlie Dean and Sophie Ecclestone, then shifted the momentum. The duo tightened the scoring rate, forcing India’s batters into mistakes and steadily increasing the required run rate.
Yastika Bhatia struggled to accelerate despite scoring 33 from 36 balls and was eventually retired out as India searched for quick runs.
Dean, Kemp Seal England Victory
India captain Harmanpreet Kaur attempted to keep the chase alive with a brisk 28 off 22 balls. During her innings, she became only the third player in Women’s T20I history to reach 4,000 runs, joining Suzie Bates and Smriti Mandhana.
But England struck at crucial moments.
Kemp removed Rodrigues shortly after her arrival, while Dean delivered a decisive double blow by dismissing Richa Ghosh and Harmanpreet within the space of four deliveries.
Harmanpreet’s dismissal effectively ended India’s hopes, with the visitors unable to recover as wickets continued to tumble.
Dean’s disciplined spell and Ecclestone’s control through the middle overs ensured England maintained their grip on the contest before completing a comfortable victory.
Charani Continues To Impress
Earlier, England struggled to find momentum after losing Sophia Dunkley inside the powerplay. Debutant Nandini Sharma claimed the breakthrough, while Charani produced another impressive spell.
The spinner dismissed both Danni Wyatt-Hodge and Amy Jones, preventing England from building substantial partnerships during the middle overs.
Alice Capsey added 28 runs but was removed by Shreyanka Patil as India kept England in check.
Despite those efforts, Kemp’s explosive finish proved the difference, taking England to a total that ultimately proved beyond India’s reach on a slow Bristol surface.