Five years after the England men’s team set Headingley’s highest T20I total (200), the Indian women’s side produced a record-shattering display, blasting 209 against the Netherlands in the T20 World Cup on Wednesday.

Marking a memorable return of World Cup cricket to Leeds, India recorded their biggest-ever total in the T20 tournament to demolish Sterre Kalis’s Dutch side by 95 runs.

Bringing in an extra bowler in their first-ever T20I meeting against India, Babette de Leede’s side replaced Sanya Khurana with Myrthe van den Raad. At the same time, India added World Cup debutants Nandani Sharma and Yastika BhatiaI.

Pleased to be batting first despite losing the toss, skipper Harmanpreet Kaur said the Indian team wanted to challenge themselves on the Headingley pitch.

India's Richa Ghosh bats during the ICC Women's T20 cricket world cup 2026 game between India and The Netherlands, at Headingley in Leeds, (Picture: Oli SCARFF / AFP via Getty Images)

placeholder image — India's Richa Ghosh bats during the ICC Women's T20 cricket world cup 2026 game between India and The Netherlands, at Headingley in Leeds, (Picture: Oli SCARFF / AFP via Getty Images)

Dropped catches and missed run-out opportunities made the challenge far easier than expected as openers Smriti Mandhana (74) and Shafali Verma (55) laid a solid foundation for India’s record-setting total. Yorkshire star Kalis was left as a mere spectator at her home ground when Sunrisers Leeds’ latest recruit Deepti Sharma struck a first-ball six and a boundary to power India to 209-5.

After enjoying her duel with spinner Deepti, the 26-year-old Netherlands batter was bowled for 18 off 13 balls by Shafali in the 11th over. Bright sunshine may have lit up Headingley, but the Netherlands struggled for momentum.

After showing some fight in the powerplay, the World Cup debutants were all out for 114, allowing India to seal their second successive win which helped them surpass Australia in Group A standings.

With a crucial fifty, Shafali also chipped in with three wickets for 20 runs in 3.2 overs. However, her all-round efforts were ultimately eclipsed by Mandhana’s stroke-filled knock for the Player of the Match honour.

HOME START: Yorkshire's Sterre Kalis steers the ball through mid-wicket during her innings for the Netherlands against India at Headingley. Picture: George Wood/Getty Images.

“With a quick outfield, Leeds is always a good batting wicket,” said Mandhana. “The Netherlands did a really good job. One thing we pride ourselves on is that we never take anyone easy. I wouldn’t say I was middling the ball as I wanted to. Work in progress still. Good to have Shafali back among the runs."

While India smashed batting records in Leeds, record-time winners Australia produced an anti-climactic finish against Bangladesh in the first match of the double-header day at Headingley.

Bowling on the same pitch after winning the toss, Sophie Molineux’s side restricted Bangladesh to 77-8.

Sharing four wickets with Kim Garth (2-18) and captain Molineux (2-14), all-rounder Ellyse Perry picked up two wickets and conceded 14 runs before wrapping up the contest with the bat.

With opener Georgia Voll smashing 45 not out off 32 balls, Perry remained unbeaten on 19 to set up a comfortable nine-wicket win for Australia.

“We started really well with the ball. It was a really great all-round job for the whole group. Nice to contribute a little bit personally as well,” match-winner Perry said.