Indian women’s cricket team captain Harmanpreet Kaur is not playing in the first T20I of the four-match series against England at the County Ground in Chelmsford on Thursday (May 28). In her absence, vice-captain Smriti Mandhana is leading the Women in Blue.
IND-W vs ENG-W 1st T20I Live Score And Updates
According to Mandhana, there are no fitness concerns regarding Harmanpreet. She has been rested for the series opener and is expected to return for the second match.
“She’s (Harmanpreet) resting today, no concerns at all. She’ll be ready for the next match,” Mandhana said at the toss.
The official X handle of the Indian women’s cricket team also posted an update shortly after the toss, confirming that Harmanpreet had been rested.
“UPDATE: Captain
Harmanpreet Kaur has been rested for the first T20I against England Women in Chelmsford. Smriti Mandhana is leading the side in her absence,” BCCI Women posted on X.
🚨 Update 🚨
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur has been rested for the first T20I against England Women in Chelmsford. Smriti Mandhana is leading the side in her absence.#TeamIndia | #ENGvIND
— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) May 28, 2026
England are also without their regular T20I captain Nat Sciver-Brunt for the series opener. In her absence, Charlotte Dean is leading the hosts and opted to field first after winning the toss.
Playing XIs
India: Smriti Mandhana (C), Shafali Verma, Yastika Bhatia, Jemimah Rodrigues, Bharti Fulmali, Richa Ghosh (WK), Deepti Sharma, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gaud, Nandni Sharma, Shree Charani
England: Sophia Dunkley, Alice Capsey, Amy Jones (WK), Heather Knight, Freya Kemp, Danielle Gibson, Charlotte Dean (C), Issy Wong, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Bell, Tilly Corteen-Coleman
India debut for Nandni
Delhi Capitals fast bowler Nandini Sharma, who finished as the highest wicket-taker in the 2026 Women’s Premier League (WPL), is making her India debut in the first T20I against England. She received her India cap from captain Harmanpreet Kaur ahead of the match.
The journey in Blue begins 💙
Nandni Sharma receives her maiden T20I cap from Captain Harmanpreet Kaur ahead of the series opener in Chelmsford 👏
Updates ▶️ https://t.co/TfetjAsf3e#TeamIndia | #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/MYq8HDurJG
— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) May 28, 2026
Prior to making her T20I debut for India, Nandini Sharma played 10 WPL matches and picked up 17 wickets.
