Out in Cardiff on Wednesday, India lost by only five runs to England in a tight warm-up ahead of the Women’s T20 World Cup. Needing 172 to win, they ended at 166 all out in 19.5 overs. Earlier, England had reached 171 for 6, lifted by Dani Gibson’s strong performance with both bat and ball. A fiery burst from Richa Ghosh almost turned it around, but not quite.

Choosing to field first, captain Harmanpreet Kaur saw England settle early, thanks to strong fifties by Amy Jones and Nat Sciver-Brunt. Then came Gibson, shifting gears fast – her 30 not out from only 12 balls, turning the game late.

A brutal last over, aimed at Renuka Singh, poured in 19 runs, sealing the edge.

Richa Ghosh’s stunning counter-attack keeps India alive

Out front, India’s batting faltered early, unable to pick up pace. Not far behind, Mandhana fell cheaply again – just one run added. Instead of holding firm, Verma pushed to 13 before slipping away. Shortly after, Bhatia edged to 15, then gave it back. A flicker came from Harmanpreet, reaching 17, yet she couldn’t stretch further. Meanwhile, Fulmali climbed to 18, only to stall like the rest.

At 132 for 7 during the 18th over, things shifted when Richa Ghosh stepped up. Instead of folding, she tore into the bowling with 68 from only 36 deliveries. Then came the moment – facing Issy Wong in the next-to-last over, a flurry: three fours, one huge six, 21 runs total. Just like that, India’s chance flickered back to life.

With 17 needed off the last over, Richa Ghosh kept charging at left-arm spinner Linsey Smith. Then came a boundary, right after that a massive straight six – suddenly just six required from three balls. But then Smith struck, luring Richa forward; wicketkeeper Alice Capsey whipped off the bails in one swift motion.

Out went Renuka Singh, one delivery later – that moment sealed it. England stood victorious after a grueling battle. Jones and captain Sciver-Brunt steadied England’s batting when the start had been tight, thanks to India’s powerplay discipline. Hitting freely, Jones reached 64 using just 45 balls. Meanwhile, Nat Sciver-Brunt found rhythm again, finishing on 57 from the same number of shots – eight of them racing through the field. The pair put together 70 before the balance shifted.

India’s seamers held their lines well, especially once showers delayed play.

Then came Gibson – suddenly swinging hard, clearing the rope one time, finding gaps twice more when it mattered most. His burst near the end gave England just enough edge when things looked tight.

Shreyanka Patil turned into India’s sharpest bowler, grabbing 2 for 29 by knocking over Sciver-Brunt, then Charlie Dean back-to-back in the second-last over. Besides her, others four slipped into a wicket apiece.

Handing the new ball to Shafali Verma hinted at India’s plans – maybe she’s being tested as a part-time bowler.

Her off-spin delivered when it mattered: two tidy overs, just 18 runs, one key scalp, Jones gone. That spell spoke louder than words.

Oddly enough, Deepti Sharma didn’t get a single over despite her experience, while India tried out six different bowlers. Shreyanka Patil held line and length tight, just like Radha Yadav did – both making quiet but firm statements for World Cup spots.