New Delhi, June 18: India secured a remarkable victory against the Netherlands in the 10th match of the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, winning by 95 runs. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur highlighted the crucial opening partnership between Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma as a key factor in this historic win.
After the match played at Headingley, Kaur stated, “We performed exceptionally well with the bat. The wicket was not easy. The way Smriti and Shafali batted provided us with a solid platform. They deserve all the credit. They are eager players who are always ready to bowl whenever the team needs them. I hope they become outstanding all-rounders in the future.”
During the Netherlands’ innings, all-rounder Shreyanka Patil suffered a sprained right ankle and had to be carried off the field on a stretcher. This injury has added to the challenges faced by the Indian team.
Regarding Shreyanka’s injury, Kaur mentioned, “I don’t have any clear information right now. We are in a very good position. We achieved what we wanted in these two matches.”
Shri Charani took 4 wickets for just 19 runs in 4 overs, while Nandini Sharma claimed 2 wickets for 22 runs in 3 overs. Shafali Verma also took 3 wickets. Kaur expressed satisfaction with her bowlers, saying, “Kranti has been consistently bowling well for us. Nandini gained valuable experience from the Women’s Premier League, and it was great to see her using that experience to take wickets during the powerplay.”
Batting first, the Indian team set a target of 209/5, thanks to a partnership of 115 runs between Smriti Mandhana (74) and Shafali Verma (55). In response, the Netherlands was bowled out for 114 runs in just 17.3 overs. India will play their next match against South Africa on June 21.
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