India win bilateral series in England after 23 years!

Canterbury, Sept 22: In a significant victory, India defeated England by 88 runs in the second ODI on Wednesday in Canterbury to seal the three-match series. It is pertinent to mention that this is the Indian women's team's first bilateral series win in England in 23 years. In 1999, the Indian team won an ODI series 2-1 with Anjum Chopra scoring a hundred and a half-century. Notably, Mithali Raj made her debut for India on that tour.

 

 

 

 

 

This is also the first time the England women's team has lost a series at home for the first time since 2007 to teams other than Australia. Player of the match - Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur rekindled the memories of 2017 World Cup with a magnificent 143 not out as Indian women amassed their highest-ever overseas total of 333 for 5 against England in the second ODI on Wednesday.

 

 

It is an emotional bilateral series for Team India because Jhulan Goswami is set to call time on her illustrious 20-year-long career on Saturday i.e. the third ODI. For them, it was important to ensure that India wins this bilateral series as soon as possible. India captain Harmanpreet also said that the third ODI will be an emotional one for the team.

 

"The Lord's game is very special for us because it's Jhulan's retirement and we wanted to enjoy that game without any pressure and I'm really happy that we were able to win today and now we can just have fun in that game," Harmanpreet said. "It's very important because that will be her last game. It will be a very emotional moment for all of us and we definitely want to win that game," she added.

 

"When you win the first game, the second game is always important and we always try to finish that game as a winning side and today also we were looking at that only because we don't want to carry any extra pressure on ourselves going to Lord's," Harmanpreet said. "Moreover after winning the series, now we just want to have fun because I know it's the last game for her. We will definitely look to win that game but moreover we will just go and have fun there."

 

When Harmanpreet made her debut all the way back in 2009, Goswami was her captain. The incumbent skipper felt the players who've played alongside her over the years have learned a lot from her, and how the current crop of fast bowlers have been picking her brain. "She's someone who has taught us a lot," Harmanpreet said. "When I debuted she was a leader and I learned a lot from her and now our young bowlers, like Renuka [Singh] and Meghna Singh... they are also learning from her. They are learning how she bowls and getting that rhythm from her. She's been a great inspiration for all of us and we've learned a lot from her."

 

Goswami has played 12 Tests and 68 T20Is, and Saturday's game will be her 204th ODI appearance. Her tally of 253 wickets in the 50-over format is the best in women's cricket, with Shabnim Ismail a distant second on the list with 191 scalps.