- The ENG vs IND T20I series will provide ideal preparation for both teams ahead of the World Cup.
- India won the most recent series between the sides 3-2.
- Mandhana’s battles with Ecclestone could define this ENG vs IND series.
The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup is around the corner and hosts England and visitors India begin their final preparations with the first T20I of a three-match series on Thursday night. England come into this series on the back of a 2-1 series win against New Zealand. India, on the other hand, were soundly beaten 4-1 in South Africa.
The last time the Women in Blue were in England, however, they won the T20Is 3-2 in a series where Smriti Mandhana scored her only hundred in the format. Mandhana in that kind of form is something that India could do with, ahead of the World Cup.
ENG vs IND, 1st WT20I match details
| Match | ENG vs IND, 1st WT20I |
| Date and Time | 28 August | 6:30 PM (BST), 11:00 PM (IST) |
| Venue | County Ground, Chelmsford |
Form Guide
England come into this series as the in-form side, considering recent games. They’ve won two of their only three T20Is this year, beating New Zealand 2-1 earlier this month. Those numbers become seven wins in 14 matches since the start of 2025.
India, on the other hand, have won only three of their eight T20Is in 2026. Those numbers look a lot better when you consider games from the start of 2025. India have won 11 of their 18 matches since January 2025.
That said, India’s confidence will still be at an all-time high given that they won the Women’s Cricket World Cup only a little over six months ago.
ENG vs IND head-to-head
England have faced India in 35 T20Is, winning 24 and losing 11. That head-to-head has become much closer in the 2020s. Since January 1, 2020, India have won eight of their 10 matches against England in the format.
| Matches Played | 35 |
| ENG Won | 24 |
| IND Won | 11 |
| First Meeting | 5 August, 2006 (IND won by 8 wickets) |
| Most Recent Meeting | 12 July, 2025 (ENG won by 5 wickets) |
Key players to watch
Indian vice-captain Smriti Mandhana was rested for the last two games of their series against South Africa. But the left-hander is a player for the big occasions. Having played one of her best-ever T20 innings in the WPL final, Mandhana will be itching for a chance to show what she’s capable of.
Further down the order, we have one of ReadCricket’s three Indian players to watch out for during the English summer. Bharti Fulmali. The 31-year-old has shown us glimpses of what she can do in the past. And with 40 runs under her belt in her most recent international outing, she will want to add more to that.
The most important battle across this series is likely to be just how the Indian batters deal with England’s bowling trio of Linsey Smith, Sophie Ecclestone and Lauren Bell. The three of them are ranked second, third and fourth in the world in women’s T20Is. And all three of them come into the series with copious amounts of form in the bag.
Linsey Smith picked up six wickets in the New Zealand series and was named Player of the Series. Lauren Bell was one of the architects of RCB’s WPL success earlier this year. Sophie Ecclestone is Sophie Ecclestone.
The latter’s biggest concern will be just how Smriti Mandhana deals with her. Mandhana’s record against Ecclestone is almost enviable – an average of 56.5, while being dismissed four times. While the match-up is favourable against a slow left-armer, Ecclestone could have a trick up her sleeve for India’s ace.
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