Xtra Time Web Desk: A brilliant 79 from Smriti Mandhana paved the way for a comprehensive 8 wickets win for India women against England women in the 2nd T20I in Bristol to level the three-match series 1-1. Harmanpreet Kaur and her team will play the decider at the same venue on Thursday.
Chasing 143 to win, Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma got India off to a flying start with a 50-run partnership in the powerplay. Although Shafali was dismissed by Sophie Ecclestone off her own bowling, Smriti continued playing her shots. Hemlata too did not last long in the crease.
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur along with Smriti held fort and eventually got the winning runs with 20 balls to spare. Mandhana won the player of the match having struck 13 boundaries in her pleasing 79 not out. Kaur stayed unbeaten on 29.
Earlier, Deepti Sharma and Renuka Singh bowled superbly as they reduced the hosts to 60/5 mid-way in the innings.