India Women secured a dominant 95-run victory over the Netherlands in the T20 World Cup. Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma's opening partnership powered India to their highest T20 World Cup total of 209/5, before their bowlers restricted the Dutch to 114.
Smriti Mandhana became the first player in T20 internationals to hit 600 fours during India's match against the Netherlands. She scored 74, partnering with Shafali Verma (55) for a 115-run stand, helping India post a record 209/5.
India begins its ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 campaign against Pakistan on Sunday in Birmingham. India has a dominant 13-3 T20I record against Pakistan and enters the tournament with confidence after recent successes.
Women's T20 cricket has seen a dramatic increase in scoring rates, with 150 runs now considered a competitive benchmark, up from 120-130 previously. This surge is attributed to the natural progression of the game, influenced heavily by the rise of franchise leagues like the WBBL, WPL, and others, which have changed batting habits and encouraged aggressive play.
Jemimah Rodrigues revealed Sachin Tendulkar's advice helped her reset after a career-defining knock. He reminded her to "start from zero" for the final, a message that provided clarity. Shafali Verma also received motivation from her father before India's World Cup win.
Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shafali Verma received notices from India’s anti-doping agency NADA after missing scheduled dope tests, leading to their first “whereabouts failure.” The Board of Control for Cricket in India confirmed the development and said it would ensure stricter compliance, especially with cricket returning to the Olympics in 2028.
