Indian Women’s Team Claims World Record by Taking 9 Wickets in Just 25 Balls

[By Our Sports Correspondent]

The Oval (London): Under Harmanpreet Kaur’s captaincy, the Indian women’s cricket team narrowly lost the third T20I against England on Friday by just five runs off the final ball. However, before that, the Indian team created a world record never before achieved in international cricket—by either men’s or women’s teams. India claimed nine English wickets in just 25 balls, an unprecedented feat in any international match.

Also read: India Women’s lose T20I on the last ball against England

England had elected to bat first and made an excellent start. Opener Sophie Dunkley scored 75 runs and her partner Danni Wyatt-Hodge contributed 66, building a formidable 137-run opening partnership, completed by 15.1 overs. At that stage, it appeared certain that England would reach a total well above 200.

But then, Indian veteran spinner Deepti Sharma caught Dunkley off her own bowling, triggering a dramatic collapse. From there, wickets began to fall at regular intervals. In the span of just 25 deliveries, England managed only 34 runs and lost nine wickets. From a position of strength at 0/137 in 15.1 overs, the English innings concluded at 9/171 by the end of the 20th over.

This sequence marked a new world record in international cricket: no team before had ever lost nine wickets in just 25 balls. India now holds this historic distinction.

Despite this extraordinary achievement, India narrowly lost the match. Chasing a target of 172 runs, the game came down to the final ball, with India needing six runs to win. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who was on strike, attempted a six but was caught out, resulting in a five-run defeat for India.

Also read: India Create History – Bowl Out Six Englishmen Batters For Zero, A First For England

Adding to England’s challenges, their regular captain Nat Sciver-Brunt did not play due to injury. Her injury is reportedly serious enough to rule her out of the remaining two matches of the series as well. In her absence, Tammy Beaumont is leading the team.