India delivered a powerful display to beat the Netherlands by 95 runs during Wednesday’s Women’s T20 World Cup clash. Right off the start, Smriti Mandhana began strong at the crease; soon after, Shafali Verma joined in, both reaching fifty in fiery fashion. Because of their effort, India climbed to 209/5 – the highest total ever seen at Headingley in such matches.

Smriti Mandhana carved out 74 runs from 47 balls, each stroke calm but sharp. Meanwhile, Shafali charged ahead with 55 off 38, aggressive yet precise. Together, they built 115 at lightning speed – just 70 balls between them. That surge lifted India past any previous score they’d ever made in Women’s T20 World Cups. Suddenly, they stood beside England as the only teams to hit over 200 in the event.

Smriti Mandhana-Shafali Verma set the tone as India rewrote the record books

During the powerplay, Shafali took charge right away, taking apart the Netherlands bowling as India pushed to 59 by the sixth over. A high shot over extra cover against Woning stood out sharply, a moment where control slipped completely from the Dutch bowlers. Their line kept drifting, making it easier for her sharp timing to find gaps. By then, the scoreboard already showed what pressure could do when met head-on.

Mandhana seized control once the power play ended, moving well to meet fast bowlers and spin alike. From the left side, she targeted Silver Siegers without mercy, launching four fours off consecutive deliveries in the 15th over. That burst carried India beyond 180 runs in quick fashion.

Babette de Leede shuffled her bowlers often under Dutch skies, yet no change sparked a shift. With Mandhana gone and Shafali back to the pavilion, the charge didn’t slow one bit. Instead, Richa Ghosh stepped in fast – eight balls, twenty runs, pure fire. Right behind, Deepti Sharma added ten untouched runs from just two throws. Momentum stayed locked in India’s hands.
Out chasing a tough total, the Netherlands struggled right from the start. Not even captain Babette de Leede’s quick 28 from 27 could spark things up. Then again, Sterre Kalis chipped in with 18 off just 13 balls – a brief fire without follow-through. Yet, wickets fell too fast; they folded at 114 by the 17th over and three more deliveries.

Out wide, India’s bowlers held firm across every spell. A catch on the edge – Nandani Sharma’s first in an ICC match, ended Siegers’ stay, marking her debut moment. From the next over came a breakthrough, Deepti toppling Molkenboer right at the start. Tight lines ran through each delivery, building pressure without pause.

Shree Charani tore through the middle and lower lineup, nearly grabbing a hat-trick in the 17th over. A step too far inside, Kalis lost her stumps to Shafali’s delivery. Meanwhile, de Leede tried dashing forward but left herself short, caught plumb by Nandani behind.

Trouble struck for India when Shreyanka Patil landed awkwardly after delivering her opening bowl, twisting an ankle mid-stride. She could not walk away under her own power, needing help just to leave the pitch behind.

Out came Bharti Fulmali, and Yastika Bhatia walked into India’s lineup. Nandani Sharma stepped in where Arundhati Reddy once stood, a quiet shift with weight behind it.

After pulling off a strong win, India shifts focus ahead to a harder test – meeting South Africa in Manchester come June 21.