Indian women secure series-levelling victory

The spin trio of Gouher Sultana, debutant Diana David and Poonam Raut bowled India to a series-equalling 30-run win over the visiting English women in the second Twenty20 international in Mumbai on Saturday.

Chasing the home team's 126 for seven, after India captain Mithali Raj won the toss and chose to bat, England women were shot out for 96 in 19.2 overs with the three slow bowlers accounting for seven wickets.

Andhra spin duo of left-arm Sultana and off-spinner David snapped up two wickets apiece, while Mumbai's left arm bowler Poonam Raut got three.

The early fall of captain and opener Charlotte Edwards to Indian new ball bowler Rumeli Dhar and the cheap run-out of one-down Beth Morgan pegged England back at 14 for two.

The run-out of opener Lydia Greenway (29), just when she was looking set for a big score, turned the match India's way.

Earlier, opener Sulakshana Naik stroked 36 off 34 balls with six fours, while Harmanpreet Kaur made 33 off 29 balls with three fours to emerge the leading scorers for India.

Mithali said after the match that her team performed better with the ball and in the field too, as compared to the first tie two days ago which they lost to the visitors.

"We wanted to see where we can make more runs than in the first match but made only one run more. But we bowled well, especially the spinners. The wicketkeeping and fielding were also better," she said.

The team missed its pace spearhead Jhulan Goswami because of an ankle injury, Mithali said. 

The third and final match is on March 8. 

Brief scores:

India 126 for 7 (Sulakshana Naik 36, Harmanpreet Kaur 33; Danielle Hazell three for 20, Laura Marsh three for 29) beat England 96 (Lydia Greenway 29; Gouher Sultana two for 16, Diana David two for 21, Poonam Raut three for 12).