I feel we forcefully played: Harmanpreet Kaur rues India’s defeat to England in a rain-hit 1st T20I

India captain Harmanpreet Kaur had no qualms in accepting that she felt like her team “forcefully played” the first T20I against England after rain delayed the opener.

Just over a month after the Commonwealth Games, where India defeated hosts England in the semi-final, the two sides clashed in the first of three T20Is at Chester-le-Street on Saturday, September 10.

However, the first T20I match didn’t start well for the visiting India side due to rain. India suffered a nine-wicket loss against England.

“We were not able to get the runs we were expecting. I just feel we forcefully played because conditions were not 100 percent fit to play,” Harmanpreet said after the match.

“I am happy the girls put in the efforts and they played despite there being chances of getting injured. You need to have team-mates that play in whatever conditions. It was not 100 percent conditions, the ground was too wet and there were chances of getting injured. And one of our fielders got injured and we turned out one bowler short.”

India managed to reach 132/7 after being put into bat as England legspinner Sarah Glenn rattled India’s lineup. Openers Smriti Mandhana (23) and Shafali Verma (14) failed to fire at the top before the ever-struggling middle-order collapsed. It was Deepti Sharma who dragged the side with her 29 not out.

In reply, England openers Sophia Dunkley and Danni Wyatt gave the hosts a perfect start with their 60-run partnership before Alice Capsey (32 not out) joined Dunkley (61 not out) to take England home in 13 overs. The teams will play the second T20I on September 13 in Derby.

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