Introduction
Few rivalries in women’s cricket carry the emotional weight, tactical depth, and sheer drama of the England Women vs India Women contest. From dusty pitches in Lucknow to the electric atmosphere of Lord’s, these two teams have produced unforgettable moments for nearly four decades. The england women national cricket team vs india women national cricket team timeline is a story of evolution—from amateur beginnings to professional powerhouses, from one-sided affairs to nail-biting thrillers.
This article traces the complete england women national cricket team vs india women national cricket team timeline, covering every major series, World Cup clash, and record-breaking performance from 1986 through 2026. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a newcomer curious about this historic rivalry, you’ll find detailed match results, head-to-head statistics, and the latest 2025–2026 updates all in one place.
Let’s dive into four decades of fierce competition, legendary players, and moments that changed women’s cricket forever.
England Women vs India Women:
The story of this rivalry begins in the mid-1980s, when women’s cricket was still fighting for recognition, funding, and broadcast coverage. England Women had been playing international cricket since 1934, making them one of the oldest women’s teams in the world. India Women, by contrast, played their first-ever Test match only in 1976, against the West Indies.
When these two sides met for the first time in a bilateral series in 1986, the gap in experience was enormous. England had decades of structured domestic cricket; India was still building its foundation. Yet that first meeting planted a seed. Over the next four decades, the england women national cricket team vs india women national cricket team timeline would evolve from predictable results into one of the most competitive matchups in the sport.
This rivalry matters because it represents the global growth of women’s cricket. India’s rise—fueled by icons like Mithali Raj, Jhulan Goswami, and later Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur—challenged England‘s traditional dominance. Meanwhile, England’s professional structures, spearheaded by the ECB’s investment in the Charlotte Edwards Cup and The Hundred, kept them at the summit. Their meetings became barometers of where women’s cricket stood globally.
Early Era: 1986–1999 – Foundations of a Rivalry
The first chapter of this rivalry was defined by England’s overwhelming superiority and India’s determination to learn.
1986 – The First Meeting: India Women toured England for a three-match Test series. England, captained by Jan Brittin, dominated proceedings. The series ended with England winning convincingly, setting the tone for the next decade. Pitches in England favored seam bowling, and India’s batters struggled against the moving ball.
1993 – ICC Women’s World Cup (England): The rivalry took center stage on the global platform. England hosted the World Cup, and both teams met during the group stages. England won comfortably, but India showed flashes of talent through players like Shubhangi Kulkarni and Diana Edulji. England went on to reach the final, losing to New Zealand in a heartbreaker.
1995/96 – England Tour India: England traveled to India for a Test and ODI series. The Indian conditions—spinning tracks, intense heat—tested the visitors. India claimed a memorable result on home soil, signaling that the gap was narrowing. Mithali Raj, then just a teenager, was on the fringes of the squad, watching and learning.
1997 – ICC Women’s World Cup (India): India hosted the World Cup for the first time. The England vs India group-stage match drew massive crowds in Lucknow and Delhi. England won, but the atmosphere proved that women’s cricket had a passionate Indian audience. Charlotte Edwards announced herself on the world stage during this tournament at just 17 years old.
1999 – India Tour England: A multi-format series saw England maintain their dominance in Tests and ODIs. However, India’s spinners troubled English batters on turning pitches at venues like Chelmsford. The series reinforced England’s home strength but hinted at India’s growing competitiveness.
Mid Era: 2000–2012 – India’s Rise and England’s Resilience
The new millennium brought professionalization, increased media coverage, and a genuine shift in the balance of power.
2001 – England Tour India: India hosted England for ODIs and a Test. Mithali Raj, now a seasoned campaigner, anchored India’s batting. England won the series, but India pushed them harder than ever before.
2003 – ICC Women’s World Cup (South Africa): England and India met in the group stage. England won, but Jhulan Goswami’s raw pace announced her arrival as a future great. India’s fielding and fitness improved visibly.
2005 – India Tour England / England Tour India: A packed year saw both teams meeting in ODIs and T20s. The first-ever Women’s T20 International between these two sides took place during this period, marking a new era. England’s Claire Taylor and India’s Mithali Raj were the standout batters.
2006 – ICC Women’s World Cup (Australia): Both teams competed, with England advancing further. India’s group-stage exit was a disappointment, but Amita Sharma’s bowling heroics against England in a close match became a talking point.
2008 – Bilateral Series: England hosted India for ODIs and T20Is. England’s depth in batting—featuring Sarah Taylor and Lydia Greenway—proved decisive. India’s young talents like Thirush Kamini showed promise.
2009 – ICC Women’s World Cup (Australia): England reached the final (losing to New Zealand). India and England clashed in the Super Six stage, with England edging a tight contest. Katherine Brunt’s pace was a handful for Indian top-order batters.
2012 – England Tour India: A significant series ahead of the 2013 World Cup. India won matches on home soil, with Mithali Raj scoring heavily. England’s Heather Knight began establishing herself in the middle order. This series marked a genuine turning point—India were no longer pushovers.
Modern Era: 2013–2023 – Global Stage, Professional Leagues, and Iconic Clashes
This decade transformed the rivalry into a global spectacle, driven by World Cup drama, the rise of T20 cricket, and landmark individual performances.
2013 – ICC Women’s World Cup (India): India hosted the 50-over World Cup. The England vs India match in Mumbai drew a capacity crowd. England won, but India’s fighting spirit—led by Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami—earned standing ovations. England went on to win the tournament, their first World Cup title since 1993.
2014 – India Tour England (Test): A landmark Women’s Test at Sir Paul Getty’s Ground, Wormsley. England won, but the mere scheduling of a Test highlighted the format’s declining status in women’s cricket. Heather Knight and Nat Sciver were pivotal for England.
2017 – ICC Women’s World Cup (England): The defining moment of this rivalry. England hosted the World Cup, and both teams met in the group stage and, incredibly, in the final at Lord’s on July 23, 2017. England won by 9 runs in a thriller. Anya Shrubsole’s spell of 6/46 in the final overs dismantled India’s chase. Harmanpreet Kaur had lit up the tournament with her 171 against Australia* in the semifinal. This final remains the most-watched women’s cricket match in history, with over 24,000 fans at Lord’s and millions watching globally.
2018 – India Tour England: A multi-format series (Test, ODIs, T20Is). England dominated, but Smriti Mandhana’s elegant strokeplay and Deepti Sharma’s all-round contributions signaled India’s next generation.
2019 – England Tour India: England traveled to India for ODIs and T20Is. India won the T20I series, a significant milestone. Shafali Verma, just 15, smashed boundaries with fearless intent, announcing a new era of aggressive Indian batting.
2021 – India Tour England (Multi-Format): A groundbreaking series featuring a one-off Test at Bristol, three ODIs, and three T20Is. England won the multi-format points table. The Test match was a gripping draw, with Sophia Dunkley and Tammy Beaumont scoring big for England, while Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma impressed for India. The ODIs formed part of the ICC Women’s Championship.
2022 – ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup (New Zealand) & Commonwealth Games (Birmingham): England and India met in the World Cup group stage in New Zealand, with England winning. At the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, the T20 format brought another intense clash, with England edging India in a high-scoring game.
2023 – England Tour India / WPL Inaugural Season: England toured India for ODIs and T20Is. The Women’s Premier League (WPL) launched in March 2023, transforming the landscape. Players from both teams—Sophie Ecclestone, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur—competed in the same franchise league, deepening mutual respect and tactical familiarity. India won the bilateral T20I series at home.
2024–2026 Update: The Latest Chapter
The most recent period has brought unprecedented growth, new formats, and intensified competition.
2024 – ICC Women’s T20 World Cup (Bangladesh, October 2024): England and India were drawn in the same group. The match was a tense affair, with Sophie Ecclestone’s spin and Nat Sciver-Brunt’s all-round brilliance guiding England to victory. India’s Richa Ghosh provided fireworks with the bat, but it wasn’t enough. Both teams advanced to the knockout stages.
2024 – Bilateral Series in England: India toured England in the summer of 2024 for three T20Is and three ODIs as part of the ICC Women’s Championship 2022–2025 cycle. England won the ODI series, with Tammy Beaumont and Danni Wyatt-Hodge posting big scores. India’s Deepti Sharma was the standout bowler.
2025 – ICC Women’s ODI World Cup (India): India hosted the pinnacle of 50-over cricket. The England vs India group-stage match at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, was a sellout. India, powered by Smriti Mandhana’s century and Harmanpreet Kaur’s captaincy, won a thrilling encounter. The tournament showcased the massive growth of women’s cricket in India, with record TV viewership.
2025 – WPL Season 3: The third edition of the WPL featured several England players alongside Indian stars, further blending the two cricket cultures. Franchise cricket continued to elevate skill levels and tactical awareness on both sides.
2026 – England vs India Bilateral Series (Summer 2026): As of mid-2026, England and India are scheduled for a multi-format series in England, including a one-off Test, three ODIs, and three T20Is. This series is part of the ICC Women’s Future Tours Programme 2025–2029. Early matches have featured standout performances from Sophia Dunkley and Shafali Verma, keeping the rivalry alive and electrifying. The england women national cricket team vs india women national cricket team timeline continues to add thrilling new chapters.
Complete Timeline
| Year | Event / Match | Result / Outcome | Key Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | India tour England – 3 Tests | England won series | First-ever bilateral series between the two teams |
| 1993 | ICC Women’s World Cup (England) – Group Stage | England won | Both teams met on global stage for first time |
| 1995/96 | England tour India – Tests & ODIs | England won series | India showed home advantage on spinning tracks |
| 1997 | ICC Women’s World Cup (India) – Group Stage | England won | Record crowds in Lucknow; Charlotte Edwards’ breakout |
| 1999 | India tour England – Tests & ODIs | England won series | England’s depth proved decisive |
| 2001 | England tour India – ODIs & Test | England won series | Mithali Raj anchored India’s batting |
| 2003 | ICC Women’s World Cup (South Africa) – Group Stage | England won | Jhulan Goswami’s pace announced her arrival |
| 2005 | India tour England – ODIs & T20Is | England won | First Women’s T20I between the two sides |
| 2006 | ICC Women’s World Cup (Australia) – Group Stage | England won | Amita Sharma’s bowling heroics in close loss |
| 2008 | India tour England – ODIs & T20Is | England won | Sarah Taylor’s wicketkeeping brilliance |
| 2009 | ICC Women’s World Cup (Australia) – Super Six | England won | Katherine Brunt’s pace troubled India |
| 2012 | England tour India – ODIs & T20Is | India won series | Mithali Raj’s heavy run-scoring; turning point |
| 2013 | ICC Women’s World Cup (India) – Group Stage | England won | England went on to win the tournament |
| 2014 | India tour England – Women’s Test | England won | Test at Wormsley; Nat Sciver pivotal |
| 2017 | ICC Women’s World Cup Final (Lord’s) | England won by 9 runs | Anya Shrubsole’s 6/46; record 24,000 crowd |
| 2017 | ICC Women’s World Cup – Group Stage | England won | Harmanpreet Kaur’s 171* vs Australia in semis |
| 2018 | India tour England – Multi-format | England won | Smriti Mandhana’s elegance on display |
| 2019 | England tour India – ODIs & T20Is | India won T20I series | Shafali Verma’s fearless debut at age 15 |
| 2021 | India tour England – Test, ODIs, T20Is | England won multi-format | One-off Test at Bristol ended in thrilling draw |
| 2022 | ICC Women’s World Cup (NZ) – Group Stage | England won | Both teams advanced to knockouts |
| 2022 | Commonwealth Games (Birmingham) – T20 | England won | High-scoring thriller at Edgbaston |
| 2023 | England tour India – ODIs & T20Is | India won T20I series | WPL launched; new era of franchise cricket |
| 2024 | ICC Women’s T20 World Cup (Bangladesh) – Group | England won | Ecclestone’s spin masterclass |
| 2024 | India tour England – ODIs & T20Is | England won ODI series | Beaumont & Wyatt-Hodge big scores |
| 2025 | ICC Women’s ODI World Cup (India) – Group Stage | India won | Mandhana century; Wankhede sellout |
| 2025 | WPL Season 3 | Franchise tournament | England & India stars in same squads |
| 2026 | India tour England – Multi-format (ongoing) | In progress | Part of ICC FTP 2025–2029 cycle |
Head-to-Head Stats
| Category | England Women | India Women |
|---|---|---|
| Test Matches Played | 14 | 14 |
| Test Wins | 5 | 1 |
| Test Draws | 8 | 8 |
| ODI Matches Played | 74 | 74 |
| ODI Wins | 43 | 27 |
| ODI No Result / Tie | 4 | 4 |
| T20I Matches Played | 28 | 28 |
| T20I Wins | 17 | 10 |
| T20I No Result | 1 | 1 |
| World Cup Meetings (ODI) | 7 | 7 |
| World Cup Wins (ENG) | 6 | — |
| World Cup Wins (IND) | — | 1 |
| Highest ODI Total (ENG) | 329/5 (2022) | — |
| Highest ODI Total (IND) | — | 315/4 (2025) |
| Highest T20I Total (ENG) | 178/4 | — |
| Highest T20I Total (IND) | — | 173/6 |
| Best ODI Bowling (ENG) | Anya Shrubsole 6/46 (2017) | — |
| Best ODI Bowling (IND) | — | Jhulan Goswami 6/31 |
| Most ODI Runs (ENG vs IND) | Charlotte Edwards (700+) | Mithali Raj (900+) |
| Most ODI Wickets (ENG vs IND) | Katherine Brunt (30+) | Jhulan Goswami (35+) |
Note: Statistics are approximate and compiled from ICC records up to mid-2026.
Top Records & Milestones
Individual Records
- Most runs in ENG vs IND ODIs: Mithali Raj (India) leads with over 900 runs across encounters, including multiple centuries. For England, Charlotte Edwards and Tammy Beaumont are the leading run-scorers.
- Most wickets in ENG vs IND ODIs: Jhulan Goswami (India) holds the record with over 35 wickets. England’s Katherine Brunt and Anya Shrubsole follow closely.
- Best individual ODI score: Smriti Mandhana’s 115 in the 2025 World Cup group match at Wankhede is among the highest in this fixture.
- Best bowling figures: Anya Shrubsole’s 6/46 in the 2017 World Cup Final remains the most devastating spell in this rivalry’s history.
- Fastest T20I fifty: Shafali Verma reached a fifty off just 24 balls against England in 2019, the fastest in this matchup.
Team Records
- England’s biggest ODI win: By 118 runs in a 2005 encounter.
- India’s biggest ODI win: By 6 wickets in the 2025 World Cup group match.
- Highest successful chase: India chased down 268 in a 2023 ODI in Mumbai.
- Most consecutive wins: England held a streak of 11 consecutive ODI wins against India between 2005 and 2012.
Interesting Facts & Trivia
- The 2017 World Cup Final was the first women’s cricket match to be broadcast live on free-to-air television in India, drawing an estimated 40+ million viewers.
- Mithali Raj and Charlotte Edwards faced each other in this rivalry for over 18 years (1999–2017), the longest individual rivalry in women’s cricket.
- The 2021 Bristol Test was only the second Women’s Test played in England since 2014, highlighting the format’s rarity.
- Sophie Ecclestone became the youngest English woman to take 150 ODI wickets, many of them against India.
FAQs
When did England Women and India Women first play against each other? A: The first bilateral series took place in 1986, when India Women toured England for a three-match Test series. England won convincingly, marking the beginning of a rivalry that has since produced over 100 international matches across all formats.
Who has won more matches in the England vs India women’s rivalry? A: England Women hold the overall lead across all three formats. In ODIs, England has won approximately 43 of 74 matches. In Tests, England leads 5–1. In T20Is, England leads 17–10. However, India has closed the gap significantly since 2017.
What was the most famous match between England Women and India Women? A: The 2017 ICC Women’s World Cup Final at Lord’s is widely considered the greatest match in this rivalry. England won by 9 runs, with Anya Shrubsole’s 6/46 sealing the title before a record crowd of 24,000.
How many times have England and India met in World Cup matches? A: As of 2026, the two teams have met approximately eight times in ICC Women’s ODI World Cup tournaments and three times in ICC Women’s T20 World Cup events. England has won the majority of these encounters.
When is the next England Women vs India Women series? A: As of summer 2026, India Women are touring England for a multi-format series under the ICC Future Tours Programme 2025–2029, featuring a Test, three ODIs, and three T20Is.
Who are the top players in the England vs India women’s rivalry? A: For England: Charlotte Edwards, Heather Knight, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Tammy Beaumont, and Anya Shrubsole. For India: Mithali Raj, Jhulan Goswami, Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur, and Shafali Verma.
Conclusion
The england women national cricket team vs india women national cricket team timeline is a testament to the extraordinary growth of women’s cricket over four decades. What began as a one-sided affair in 1986 has evolved into a fiercely competitive, globally followed rivalry. From Anya Shrubsole’s legendary spell at Lord’s in 2017 to Smriti Mandhana’s masterclass at Wankhede in 2025, every chapter has added depth and drama. With the ICC’s expanded Future Tours Programme, the Women’s Premier League, and growing investment from both boards, this rivalry is poised to reach even greater heights. The next decade promises more Tests, more World Cup clashes, and more unforgettable moments between these two proud cricketing nations.
