New Delhi: India’s historic maiden T20I series win on English soil was already sealed but the women in blue couldn’t end on a winning note as they lost the fifth and final T20I to England by five wickets in a dramatic last-ball finish in Birmingham on Saturday. Despite the loss India took the series 3-2, a significant milestone against a strong England side.

India began aggressively with vice-captain Smriti Mandhana finding the boundary twice in the opening over. However, her promising start ended when she fell on the last ball of the over, caught at point while attempting a pull. Jemimah Rodrigues departed early as well, leaving India at 20 for 2.

Shafali Verma then took charge and showcased her fearless batting with a blistering 75 off just 41 balls, laced with 13 fours and a six. She dominated the England bowlers, notably smashing Issy Wong for three boundaries and a six in a single over to collect 20 runs. Shafali brought up her fifty in just 23 balls, the second joint-fastest by an Indian woman in T20Is, with her cover drives and straight hits being a delight to watch.

Captain Harmanpreet Kaur added 15 runs, building a crucial 66-run partnership with Shafali before being bowled by Charlie Dean. After Shafali fell to a sharp catch in the deep by Maia Bouchier, India looked to Richa Ghosh’s quick 24 off 16 and Radha Yadav’s 14 to push the total to 167 for 7.

A memorable first! 🏆#TeamIndia register their first-ever bilateral T20I series victory in England in women’s cricket 👏👏#ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/pC3voX5av6

— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) July 12, 2025

England’s strong chase

In response, England openers Sophia Dunkley and Danielle Wyatt-Hodge gave the hosts a flying start, stitching a 101-run partnership in just over 10 overs. Dunkley scored a quick 46 while Wyatt-Hodge top-scored with 56, putting England in a commanding position.

India clawed back with timely wickets and with England needing six runs off the final over, Arundhati Reddy brought India back into the contest by taking two wickets in three balls, clean bowling skipper Tammy Beaumont and then dismissing Amy Jones. However, Sophie Ecclestone and Paige Scholfield kept their cool to secure the consolation triumph off the final delivery.

What next?

India and England will now shift focus to a three-match ODI series, starting July 16 in Southampton with the visitors aiming to continue their strong run in the white-ball format.