Rodrigues, Amanjot Help India Breach England’s Bristol Fortress in T20I Series Win

India secured a memorable 24-run victory over England in the second Women’s T20 International at Bristol, breaking the hosts' unbeaten run at the venue and taking a commanding 2-0 lead in the five-match series. It was a historic win powered by gritty half-centuries from Jemimah Rodrigues and Amanjot Kaur, and a disciplined all-round bowling effort that outclassed the home side.

After being reduced to 31 for 3 early in the innings, India mounted a brilliant fightback. Rodrigues, scoring her first fifty against England in white-ball cricket, led the charge with a 41-ball 63. At the other end, Amanjot Kaur played the role of aggressor-turned-anchor, hammering an unbeaten 63* — her maiden T20I half-century — as the pair stitched together a match-defining 93-run partnership for the fourth wicket.

Their aggressive approach saw India plunder 117 runs in the final 10 overs, lifting the visitors to 181 for 4 — the second-highest women's T20I total at the Bristol venue. Richa Ghosh added late fireworks with a rapid 20-ball cameo, further compounding England's woes.

England Stumble Under Pressure

Chasing a steep target, England never fully recovered from an early top-order collapse. Reduced to 17 for 3 inside the powerplay, they were left chasing the game from the outset. Amanjot Kaur added to her batting heroics by claiming the prized scalp of Nat Sciver-Brunt, who had spent a significant portion of India's innings off the field nursing a tight hip.

Tammy Beaumont was England’s standout performer with the bat, compiling her first T20I half-century since 2021. Batting at No. 4, Beaumont fought valiantly, striking 54 off 37 balls in a counter-attacking partnership of 70 with Amy Jones. But her run-out — a direct hit from Sneh Rana — signaled the end of England's resistance.

Despite some late hitting from Sophie Ecclestone, who made 35 off 23 deliveries, the required run rate proved too much. England eventually closed on 157 for 7, handing India a comfortable 24-run win.

England’s Top-Order Concerns Continue

The defeat exposed significant flaws in England’s top order. Sophia Dunkley and Danni Wyatt-Hodge managed just two runs between them, continuing a poor run of opening partnerships following the West Indies series. Wyatt-Hodge, in particular, has now scored just 18 runs in her last five T20I innings.

The usually reliable Nat Sciver-Brunt’s struggles compounded England’s woes, both as a batter and on the field. Her early exit and limited bowling further hurt England’s balance, leaving head coach Charlotte Edwards with selection questions heading into the third match at The Oval on Friday.

India’s Bowling Unit Holds Firm

Every member of India’s bowling attack contributed to maintaining control of the chase. N Shree Charani impressed with 2 for 28, while Amanjot backed up her batting with 1 for 28 and an important early breakthrough. Deepti Sharma and Radha Yadav kept things tight in the middle overs, building pressure that England failed to overcome.

Rodrigues and Amanjot Steal the Show

Rodrigues, batting at No. 3, began cautiously but shifted gears in the second half of her innings, striking boundaries at will and reaching her fifty in 33 balls. Amanjot, promoted to No. 5 for the first time, showed maturity and flair, pacing her knock expertly before finishing with a flourish.

Their combined effort not only rescued India from a perilous position but also delivered a crushing psychological blow to England, whose dominance at Bristol was finally broken.

What’s Next

The series now moves to London, where the third T20I will be played at the Kia Oval on Friday. With India holding a 2-0 lead and England scrambling for answers, it promises to be a pivotal encounter in the build-up to next year’s T20 World Cup.

Match Summary
India 181/4 (Rodrigues 63, Amanjot 63*)
England 157/7 (Beaumont 54, Ecclestone 35; Charani 2-28)
India won by 24 runs | India lead series 2-0