Media365
Radha Yadav pulled off a spectacular diving catch to dismiss Amy Jones in the final over, but it wasn’t enough as England edged India by five wickets in a nail-biting finish to the fifth T20I in Birmingham. Despite the defeat, India claimed the five-match series 3-2, marking their first-ever T20I series win against England. Chasing 168, England were cruising with openers Sophia Dunkley (46) and Danielle Wyatt-Hodge (56) adding 101 runs in just 10.4 overs. India bounced back with quick wickets, and with six runs needed off the last over, drama unfolded. Pacer Arundhati Reddy bowled Tammy Beaumont with a clever slower ball, then dismissed Amy Jones next ball when Radha Yadav dived forward from short fine leg to complete a brilliant low catch. India sensed a late twist with England needing five off three balls. But Sophie Ecclestone and Paige Scholfield held their nerves to guide England home on the final delivery. Earlier, India posted 167 for 7 after a blazing 75 off 41 balls from Shafali Verma. She hit 13 fours and a six, reaching her fifty in just 23 balls — the second joint-fastest by an Indian woman in T20Is. Contributions from Harmanpreet Kaur (15), Richa Ghosh (24), and Radha Yadav (14) helped India set a competitive total. India may have lost the final game, but the series win was historic. The two teams now gear up for a three-match ODI series starting July 16 in Southampton.
