How Did Shafali and Smriti Perform in the England Series?  ( Smriti )

Women’s T20 World Cup: The Indian women’s team is currently touring England. Following the T20 series against England, the Indian team is now set to compete in the Women’s T20 World Cup. However, ahead of this ICC tournament, the duo of Smriti    ( Smriti )  Mandhana and Shafali Verma has heightened Team India’s anxiety. In the three-match T20 series against England, neither of these players could find their rhythm with the bat. The consistent failure of this star opening pair has deepened the concerns of both the captain and the team management. The Indian team is scheduled to play its opening match of the World Cup against Pakistan on June 14.

Mandhana and Shafali Duo Fails to Provide a Strong Start for Team India in England Series
In the T20 series against England, the star opening pair of Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma proved to be a complete flop—a significant cause for concern for the Indian team ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup. In the first match of the series, Mandhana was dismissed without even opening her account (a ‘golden duck’), and the pair collectively failed to add even a single run to the scoreboard. Subsequently, in the second match, they could only manage a partnership of 21 runs, followed by a mere 19-run partnership in the third match. The statistics from all three matches clearly demonstrate that this opening pair has failed to provide Team India with a solid start. The fact that both batters have gone so completely out of form just before a major tournament like the World Cup has become a major headache for the team management.

How Did Shafali and Smriti Perform in the England Series?
Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma’s performance in this T20 series against England has been quite disappointing. A glance at the statistics reveals that Shafali Verma scored a mere 35 runs across three matches, with her highest individual score being just 22 runs. Meanwhile, Smriti Mandhana’s performance hasn’t been particularly impressive either; she aggregated a total of just 40 runs across three matches—32 of which she scored in the second match alone. This makes it evident that neither of the two star openers has been able to perform up to expectations. Now, with the T20 World Cup fast approaching, this Indian opening pair must work rigorously in the nets to regain their form and restore their lost confidence, ensuring they can provide a strong start in the upcoming major tournament.

**Team India Makes a Change for the Third Match**
Turning to the third T20 match currently underway between the Indian and English women’s teams, England captain Charlie Dean won the toss and elected to bowl first. Team India has made one change to its Playing XI for this fixture, bringing Kranti Gaud into the squad in place of Shreyanka Patil. The three-match series is currently tied at 1-1; whichever team wins this match will clinch the series title.