Smriti Mandhana Takes Charge as India Faces England in T20I Opener

In a significant development for the Indian women's cricket team, Smriti Mandhana has been appointed as captain for the first T20I against England at Trent Bridge, following Harmanpreet Kaur's precautionary rest due to a head injury. The match marks a historic moment as Trent Bridge hosts its first women's T20I series. With new players joining the squad, including N Shree Charani making her debut, the excitement is palpable. Both teams also paid tribute to the victims of a recent tragedy before the match commenced. Read on for more insights into the playing XIs and match details.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 28, 2025, 19:51 IST

Mandhana Steps Up as Captain

Nottingham: In a precautionary move, regular captain Harmanpreet Kaur has been rested for India's first T20I against England at Trent Bridge due to a head injury. Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana, a left-handed opener, will take the helm in her absence.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced, "Captain Harmanpreet Kaur has been rested for the first T20I against England Women in Nottingham as a precautionary measure following a head injury sustained during the T20 Warm-up match against ECB Select XI."

The statement further noted, "She is being closely monitored by the medical team and is recovering well. Smriti Mandhana will lead the team in her absence." Interestingly, Smriti had already addressed the pre-series press conference on Friday due to Harmanpreet's illness.

For the opening match of the T20I series, India has included left-arm spinner N Shree Charani for her debut, while Sneh Rana returns to the T20I squad after a two-year hiatus. With Harmanpreet out, Jemimah Rodrigues is set to bat at the number four position.

England, having won the toss and opted to bowl first, has brought in Tammy Beaumont to replace the injured Heather Knight at number four. Their lineup features three fast bowlers: Lauren Filer, Lauren Bell, and Em Arlott, along with two left-arm spinners, Sophie Ecclestone and Linsey Smith.

Prior to the match at Trent Bridge, which is hosting a women's T20I series for the first time, both teams observed a minute of silence to honor the victims of the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad on June 12.

Playing XIs

India: Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana (captain), Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues, Amanjot Kaur, Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Radha Yadav, Arundhati Reddy, Sneh Rana, and N Shree Charani.

England: Sophia Dunkley, Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Nat Sciver-Brunt (captain), Tammy Beaumont, Amy Jones (wk), Alice Capsey, Em Arlott, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Linsey Smith, and Lauren Bell.