NEW DELHI: Smriti Mandhana's half-century and Richa Ghosh's quick-fire 47 not out went in vain as India suffered their first defeat of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup, losing to England by 11 runs at St George's Park in Gqeberha on Saturday.
Chasing a 152-run target, Mandhana (52 off 41 balls) and Ghosh (47* off 34) added a valuable 43 runs for the fourth wicket to keep India in the hunt. Ghosh even scored 19 runs in the last over, bowled by Katherine Sciver Brunt, hitting a four and a six, but failed to take India home.
As it happened: India vs England
India finished at 140 for 5 in their 20 overs, 11 runs short of the target.
The defeat left India stranded at second place in the Group B standings with four points, below England, who registered their third win in a row in the tournament to consolidate the top spot with six points.
Riding on Nat Sciver Brunt's 50, off 42 balls, and Amy Jones' 40 (27 balls), England posted a competitive 151 for 7 after India sent them in to bat first.
A career-best five-wicket performance by Indian opening bowler Renuka Thakur was not enough to stop England.
Thakur took wickets in each of her three overs in the powerplay and claimed two more in the final over of the innings to finish with five for 15 in seamer-friendly conditions.
But Nat Sciver-Brunt and Jones scored freely during most of the rest of the innings.
Mandhana gave India a strong start when she hit four boundaries off Katherine Sciver-Brunt in the third over of the Indian innings.
But India struggled to maintain the required run rate against steady English bowling.
Four wickets fell to catches off attempted big hits and there was a run-out as India tried to lift the tempo.
Teenager Ghosh hit powerfully towards the end, but it was not enough to change the outcome.
England, who play Pakistan in their final group match in Cape Town on Tuesday, are virtually certain to qualify for the semi-finals.
India are also well-placed to reach the last four as they meet Ireland in Gqeberha on Monday.
Overcast conditions were helpful for seam bowling on a fresh pitch after early morning rain.
Thakur made the ball swing sharply into the right-handed batters as England slumped to 29 for three before Nat Sciver-Brunt led the recovery.
(With inputs from AFP)
