ENG-W vs IND-W: England women clinch series to serve timely wake-up call to India ahead of T20 World Cup

England women hammered India by six wickets in the 3rd T20I in Taunton to clinch the three-match series 2-1 on Tuesday, June 2. This is England's second consecutive T20I series win in the last two weeks, and they look robust heading into the ICC Women's T20 World Cup.

For India, it is a timely reminder that they need to iron out their flaws before the ICC event gets underway on June 12.

Electing to field first, England began well as they removed both the India openers inside the first four overs. Yastika Bhatia (32 off 18) got off to a flying start but was run out while attempting an ill-judged run. Jemimah Rodrigues (29 off 19) looked to take control of the run-scoring before she was cleaned up by Lauren Bell.

First wicket DOWN 👏

Smith gets Verma 🙌 pic.twitter.com/3BfBFE853S

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 2, 2026

Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur's 40-ball 56*, coupled with a 24-ball 32 from Deepti Sharma, took India to a sizeable total of 180 for the loss of four wickets.

England didn't have a very impressive day in the field, with only Bell (2/36) managing to grab more than a wicket.

Capsey and Knight script remarkable rescue

In reply, England were off to a horrid start as they were reduced to 38/3 in just 5.1 overs with Kranti Gaud dismissing Danni Wyatt-Hodge and Amy Jones, whereas Arundhati Reddy accounted for Sophia Dunkley.

At that stage, India looked primed to seal the series, but a monumental fourth-wicket partnership between Alice Capsey and Heather Knight totally changed the complexion of the fixture and the series.

Player of the Match (POTM) Capsey (82 off 43) and Knight (70* off 42) looked a class apart from the rest of the batters and stitched a 137-run partnership to snatch the game and the series from India's claws.

Fifty runs from the powerplay and Capsey is motoring 💪

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 2, 2026

While Knight struck 10 fours, Capsey smashed nine boundaries and three sixes and batted at a jaw-dropping strike rate of 190.69. While Capsey got out in the 18th over, it hardly bothered the hosts as they crossed the line with nine balls to spare.

Top run-scorer of the match

Top wicket-taker of the match

Player of the Match

Alice Capsey

Alice Capsey played a fearless brand of cricket and left the India bowlers scratching their heads. Capsey took the attack to the opposition by going for boundaries and wrestled the entire momentum back into the English camp. She was also adjudged the Player of the Series for scoring 116 runs.

Turning Point

The 137-run stand between Heather Knight and Alice Capsey was the turning point in the game. It came at a point when India were all over England and a couple more wickets would have sealed the series for them. However, Knight and Capsey scripted a rescue of the highest order and pulled off what seemed an improbable win at one stage.

What the captains said

Winning Team Captain, Charlie Dean (ENG-W)

 "To be honest no, the girls took on the powerplay, and then a brilliant partnership got us to a record chase. [Fielding improvement] Those are the standard we want to set, the girls were phenomenal. India hit a lot of boundaries, can be hard to keep yourself up [in the field], but it's all we can ask for. I'm enjoying bowling, bit more expensive today, feel like I've got a few different plans and its coming out of the hand nicely. [Captaincy] Learnt a huge amount about myself, a daunting challenge but I've enjoyed it and the girls have supported me. Strong place in myself. Previous to this I would have been nervous, but should the worst happen [I'd be ready to captain]. Hopefully Nat's ready and back with us soon. [Capsey-Knight] Brilliant, they way they picked moments, bowlers. So much calmness, we never had doubt in the dugout. It was set up perfectly."

Losing Team Captain, Harmanpreet Kaur (IND-W)

"For us it was a case of getting one more wicket. We were in the game, but unfortunately we couldn't [break the stand]. Lot of positives, except for the wicket we were looking for, going forward to the World Cup. [Best XI?] We are pretty clear, still have two more practice games before WC, we can think about other combinations. We have very good players who are sitting out and will have chances, but we are pretty clear on the XI going forward. The idea in coming here early was getting used to the conditions, hopefully we will get what we need [for the WC]."