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The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 is already underway in England and Wales, in match no.10 India Women’s National Cricket Team took on the Netherlands Women’s National Cricket Team in Headingley, Leeds. The Women in Blue were invited to bat first, and openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma gave the side a brilliant start, scoring 115 runs for the first wicket.
In the match, Smriti Mandhana, who scored yet another fifty off 36 deliveries against the Netherlands, added another milestone beside her name. She became the first India women’s cricketer to have the most 50+ scores in Women’s T20 World Cup history. She achieved this soon after smashing her half-century on Wednesday.
Smriti Mandhana achieves new milestone
Smriti Mandhana played a knock of 74 runs off 47 balls, smashing 11 fours and one six. Her opening partner Shafali Verma gave India a blistering start, playing a fiery 55 runs innings 38 balls, smashing 10 fours. The two stitched a partnership of 115 runs. The Southpaw has been the leading run-getter for India in this format, scoring 4475 runs.
Smriti Mandhana is also the third batter combined in Men's and Women's history to have the most 50+ scores in Women’s T20 World Cup history. She is only behind Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who have 15 and 12 50+ scores in T20 World Cups. Smriti now has 6* 50+ scores in the major tournament.
I think it’s a very great opportunity- Harmanpreet Kaur
Harmanpreet Kaur, during the toss, said that she is happy to bat first. She stated, "I think it’s a very great opportunity for us to bat first because it’s a little hard condition due to the overcast weather, but I think we want to bat first and we wanted to challenge ourselves. (On areas India wants to improve despite a convincing opening win) I think the powerplay with both bat and ball is something we are really looking forward to improving."
"Hopefully today we will bat positively in the powerplay and, while bowling, if we can get a few wickets in the powerplay, that will be important. (On handling conditions if the ball starts moving around) I think it’s about sticking to your own plans and batting as deep as possible because in these conditions you can’t start hitting from the very first ball."
Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma give India a solid foundation
Coming to the match after being asked to bat first, India posted a massive total of 209/5 in their 20 overs. There was a middle-order collapse in the final stages of the first innings, or they would have gone past 220 runs. But a small 20 runs off 8 balls from Richa Ghosh helped the side to finish the innings in a better way.
Now the task will be up to the bowlers, as the Women in Blue will be looking for their second victory after thumping their arch rivals Pakistan in the first game by 64 runs. A good margin win will help the side to gain confidence before they face South Africa.
