India won the second T20 at Derby by eight wickets. After chasing down their 143-run target inside 17 overs, the team levelled the series with one match to play.
The 17-year-old Freya Kemp, who became the youngest woman to score a fifty-century in T20 internationals, helped England recover from 54 for five in the 10th over to score 142 for six. However, India severely punished the left-armer, with Shafali Verma (20 off 17 balls) and Smriti Mandhana smashing 19 runs off her one over.
With Freya Kemp scoring a brilliant half-century, England recovered from 54 for five in the 10th over to post 142 for six, becoming the youngest woman to reach the milestone in T20 internationals. The left-armer was severely punished by India, as Shafali Verma (20 off 17) and Smriti Mandhana smashed 19 runs off her one over.
At the end of the powerplay, Verma was caught and bowled by Sophie Ecclestone, but Mandhana finished with a 36-ball half-century. Harmanpreet Kaur, put down at deep midwicket by Danni Wyatt on 20, sailed along to 29 from 22 balls.
Kemp became the second youngest Englishwoman to make fifty for her country after facing just four balls and scoring one run.
It was an impressive recovery for the top order to score 142 for six, but India made light work of the chase thanks to Smriti Mandhana’s 79 not out from 53 balls.
Mandhana, who represented Southern Brave in The Hundred, struck 13 fours, including the winning run. On Thursday, Bristol awaits a decisive match.
In the opener on Saturday, England needed just three batters to reach their target of 133 runs.