Indian women lose by 33 runs to England in T20

Chasing 138 for a victory, India could manage only 104 for eight in 20 overs at the St Lawrence Ground here after inviting the hosts to bat.

India`s batting failed miserably with only skipper Mithali Raj (26) and wicketkeeper Sulakshana Naik (25) managing to reach the 20s. Openers Amita Sharma (9) and Poonam Raut (9) were out in successive overs as the visitors were reduced to 20 for two in five overs.

Mithali and Harmanpreet Kaur (15) had begun a useful partnership, adding 30 before two more wickets fell in the space of four runs to leave India at 54 for four in the 13th over. There was no coming back for India from there.

For England, Katherine Brunt and Danielle Wyatt grabbed two wickets apiece for 21 and 10 runs respectively. England women were on the backfoot when they lost their captain Charlotte Edwards early after being sent in to bat. She was lbw to N Niranjana, leaving England one for one in 1.1 overs.

The home side made an immediate recovery with Sarah Taylor (69 off 49 balls) and opener Laura Marsh (41 off 39) stitching a 104-run stand for the second wicket in just under 14 overs. Taylor smashed 10 fours while Marsh found the fence four times.

Indian bowlers, led by left-arm spinner Gouher Sultana (2/21), did make a comeback to restrict England to 137 for five, but their batsmen let the side down.