Former captain Shubhangi Kulkarni hails Indian women’s team’s historic first ever T20I series win over England
India opener Smriti Mandhana plays a shot against England during 2nd T20I in Nottingham on June 28. PIC/AP/PTI
Former Indian women’s team captain Shubhangi Kulkarni has hailed Harmanpreet Kaur & Co’s T20I series triumph over England in their own backyard as a special feat.
“This [series win] is really a special achievement and especially because England in England is tough as they have always been a good side. So, this is definitely a credible achievement and a morale booster for our team since there is an ODI World Cup [in India and Sri Lanka in September-October] this year,” Kulkarni told mid-day.com over the phone from Pune on Thursday.
Former India captain Shubhangi Kulkarni. PIC/Satej Shinde
After winning the first two games, at Nottingham and Bristol, India took a 2-0 lead in the five-match T20I series. However, they lost the third game by five runs at The Oval despite an 85-run opening stand between vice-captain Smriti Mandhana (56) and Shafali Verma (47). Thanks to left-arm spinners Radha Yadav (2-15) and Shree Charani (2-30) India then won the fourth match by six wickets at Manchester on Wednesday to take an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series. The last T20I will be played at Birmingham on Saturday.
Kulkarni, 65, who played 19 Tests and 27 ODIs during 1976 to 1991, also credited India’s improved fielding standard for their consistent performance.
“The biggest plus point in the last four games is that our fielding has definitely improved. Everybody has contributed in some way or the other, like Smriti [Mandhana] had a century in the first game and after that some of the other girls also played their role perfectly in the other games. Also, our pacers Pooja Vastrakar and Renuka Singh Thakur are out injured. So, when they return, this team will only become stronger,” concluded Kulkarni.
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