LONDON: Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma ran riot as India thrashed the Netherlands by 95 runs in the Women’s T20 World Cup on Wednesday.

Mandhana and Verma put on 115 for the first wicket, setting the foundation for India’s imposing total of 209-5 in Leeds.

Smashing 11 fours and one six, Mandhana top scored with 74 from 47 balls, while her fellow opener Verma hit 10 fours in her innings of 55.

India’s run spree left the Netherlands with little hope of a successful run chase.

Dutch captain Babette de Leede was their leading scorer with 28, but Verma followed her dynamic display with the bat by taking three wickets.

Sree Charani finished off India’s one-sided victory with four wickets from her four overs.

India have won their first two games of the tournament in England after beating arch rivals Pakistan in their opener.

Georgia Voll starred as Australia eased to a nine-wicket win over Bangladesh at Headingley.

Voll blasted six fours and one six in her unbeaten 45 from 32 balls, guiding Australia to their target of 78 for the loss of one wicket with more than 10 overs to spare.

Bangladesh mustered only 77-8 from their 20 overs, with Sophie Molineux, Kim Garth and Ellyse Perry taking two wickets each.

Australia made it successive wins to start the tournament after their 65-run victory over South Africa on Saturday.

Bangladesh had beaten the Netherlands in their opening match.

England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt has been ruled out of their next two matches due to a calf injury.

Sciver-Brunt, who recently returned from a torn calf muscle, was forced to retire on 48 in Tuesday’s four-wicket win over Ireland in Southampton.

Scans on Wednesday revealed a calf muscle strain and the 33-year-old will not feature against Scotland or the West Indies.

Published in Dawn, June 18th, 2026