Nandni Sharma impressed on her international debut with three wickets, supported by half-centuries from Jemimah Rodrigues and Yastika Bhatia, leading India to a 38-run victory in the first match of their T20I series against England at the County Ground.
This win marks India women’s second-largest margin against England in T20Is, following a 97-run victory at Trent Bridge in 2025. Nandni’s performance makes her the second Indian pacer to achieve a 3-wicket haul on a Women’s T20I debut, after Soniya Dabir in 2010.
India faced a tough start when Lauren Bell claimed two wickets in the opening over, sending back Smriti Mandhana for a golden duck and Shafali Verma on the last ball, leaving India at 7/2. However, Yastika and Rodrigues rescued the innings with a remarkable 126-run partnership for the third wicket.
England fought back to contain the target, but India managed to post 188/7 in their 20 overs. In response, England’s chase faltered as they fell short, finishing at 150/8, giving India a convincing victory in the series opener.
