Smriti powers India to big win

T20Is isn't really the Indian women's forte but Nottingham celebrated a Super Saturday as they started their five-match series with a thumping 97-run win over England at Trent Bridge.

- Shalini Gupta

CHANDIGARH:

Smriti Mandhana set up brilliantly with a fluent century, becoming the only Indian player with a century in each format. She led from the front in some style after skipper Harmanpreet Kaur was rested as a precaution after suffering a head injury during a warm-up match against an ECB XI. She was on the balcony cheering as Mandhana stroked a boundary to reach a 51-ball century.

The left-handed opener took charge and made full use of a good pitch to hit a 62-ball 112, (16x4, 3x6). It took India to a huge 210/5 and the hosts never recovered from early setbacks to be dismissed for 113 in 14.5 overs.