IND-W vs ENG-W, One-off Test: Deepti Sharma demolishes England as India secure biggest Test victory on home soil

IND-W vs ENG-W, One-off Test: In a historic and one-sided contest at Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium, India showcased a cricketing masterclass, defeating England by a record-breaking margin of 347 runs in a thrilling one-off Test match. The star of the match was undoubtedly Deepti Sharma, who delivered a stellar all-round performance, finishing with a remarkable nine-wicket haul.

Deepti Sharma continued her stellar form in the bowling department, dismissing key English batters Danni Wyatt and Amy Jones in successive overs. Her contribution, coupled with the efforts of India’s pace bowlers, led to England losing half their side within 15 overs, signaling the inevitable result of the match.

The second day of the match set the stage for India’s dominance. Having posted a substantial total of 428 runs in their first innings, India secured a commanding lead of 292 runs. Surprisingly, instead of enforcing a follow-on, India chose to bat again and extended their lead to 478 runs by the end of the day, finishing at 186/6 off 42 overs. This decision paved the way for a dramatic day of cricket, witnessing a total of 19 wickets falling, with spinners claiming 16 of them. The spin-friendly pitch challenged both Indian and English batters, resulting in the maximum number of wickets falling in a single day in a women’s Test match in India.

IND-W vs ENG-W Test: Deepti Sharma records best Test figures as India dominate England

Deepti Sharma, who had contributed significantly with the bat by scoring 67 in the morning, continued her stellar performance with the ball. Her bowling figures of 5.2-4-7-5 showcased her brilliance, as she exploited the pitch conditions to perfection. This remarkable bowling display marked her best performance in her third Test, and it played a crucial role in dismantling the English batting lineup.

India’s opening pair of Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana provided a solid start with a 60-run partnership. However, England’s tall bowlers, led by Sophie Ecclestone, managed to break through, and the Indian innings faced a collapse from 77/2 to 133/6. Despite the setbacks, captain Harmanpreet Kaur’s resilient knock of 44 not out guided India to a declaration on their overnight second-innings total of 186 for 6, setting a colossal target of 479 for England.

In their pursuit of the mammoth target, England crumbled under the pressure imposed by India’s bowlers. Renuka Thakur and Pooja Vastrakar, India’s quick bowlers, took charge and rattled the English top order. Thakur’s precision and Vastrakar’s ability to generate bounce and movement troubled the English batters. By the middle of the 14th over, England found themselves reeling at 68 for 4, with Vastrakar playing a pivotal role in the damage.

India’s declaration at 186 for 6 and the subsequent dismantling of the English batting lineup meant that India clinched a record-breaking victory by 347 runs. This resounding win marked a significant milestone in women’s Test cricket and showcased India’s dominance on home soil.

Also read: U19 Asia Cup: Bangladesh beat India and UAE beat Pakistan to make the final

Thank you for reading.