England vs India: Jemimah Rodrigues and Yastika Bhatia star in 38-run win at Chelmsford

England suffered a punishing defeat ahead of the T20 World Cup as they were completely outplayed by India in a 38-run defeat at Chelmsford.

Chasing 189 to win, England were reduced to 150-8 as questions remain about the batting line-up before the tournament kicks off in June.

Openers Alice Capsey and Sophia Dunkley took a cheap fall before Amy Jones scored a fluent 67 from 48 balls, but the run was out of control as the score fell from 120-3.

The return of Danni Wyatt-Hodge from maternity leave and Nat Sciver-Brunt from injury can’t come soon enough for England’s stuttering top-flight.

The extras also made a big difference; England conceded 21 points compared to India’s three.

Lauren Bell gave England the perfect start with two wickets in the first over, including one to star batsman Smriti Mandhana from the first ball of the innings, before Shafali Verma fell for two.

However, Jemimah Rodrigues and Yastika Bhatia remained unhurried and started the 126-run counter-attack third wicket, taking 27 from Issy Wong’s second delivery.

England’s standards on the field dropped again under pressure, but stand-in captain Charlie Dean led an encouraging fightback, removing both set batsmen in the 14th over.

Bhatia was caught out for 54 and Rodrigues was caught and bowled for 69 as India slumped from 133-2 to 148-6; this included debutant Tilly Corteen-Coleman’s first T20 wicket, sensationally caught by Richa Ghosh Wong.

But Deepti Sharma, the bane of the England team, hit four boundaries in 22 off 13 balls and ensured that India’s over-middle brilliance did not go in vain as they posted a score of 188-7.

The three-game series continues on Saturday at Bristol, where Wyatt-Hodge will make his first appearance this summer.