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Smriti-Mandhana
Smriti Mandhana feels that lack of experience is a significant reason behind India's batting collapse against England. Smriti Mandhana, along with debutant Shafali Verma had formed a brilliant 167-run stand for the first wicket. Both the players managed to score half-centuries in India's response to England's massive first innings total of 396/9. The visitors were bundled out for 231, and the England team enforced the follow-on on day three.
Smriti Mandhana, who had scored 67 in the first innings, believes the Indian cricket team will learn and evolve with experience. Mithali Raj-led team lost five wickets and were eventually forced to follow on. Mandhana added that the Indian team had played chiefly the shorter formats more where they have batted a maximum of 50 overs. Thus, with more Tests, we will get used to the conditions. The Indian cricket team is playing a Test match after a gap of seven years. They last featured in a Test match in November 2014.
At the end of day 3, India trail by 82 runs
Earlier on Day three, Shafali and Deepti Sharma are unbeaten on 55 and 18, respectively. Trailing by 165, India opening batters Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana had put on 29 runs inside the first five overs. However, right on the cusp of lunch break, Mandhana (8) was dismissed by Katherine Brunt.
Deepti Sharma then joined Shafali Verma in the middle. The duo kept on scoring at a brisk pace. Deepti and Shafali took the score to 83/1 in 24.3 overs. Rain played spoilsport, and an early tea was forced to be taken on Day Three. Ultimately, no play was possible after that, and stumps were called.
Earlier, resuming Day Three at 187/5, the visitors got off to a poor start. The side lost Harmanpreet Kaur (4), Taniya Bhatia (0), and Sneh Rana (2) in quick progression. Deepti Sharma and Pooja Vastrakar managed to add 33 runs for the ninth wicket. However, this partnership was cut short by Katherine Brunt as she dismissed Vastrakar (12). Anya Shrubsole got the last wicket of Jhulan Goswami (1). The final day now clearly has only two possibilities. A draw is a likely result but given India’s penchant for collapses, an England win is also a very reasonable scenario.
Brief Scores: England Women 396/9d; India Women 231 and 83/1 (Shafali Verma 55*, Deepti Sharma 18*, Katherine Brunt 1-21).