India v England: first women’s T20 international – live

One to keep an eye out for. Mahika Gaur, just 17 years old, made her England debut in the summer, more than four years on from her international debut for the UAE as a 12-year-old. Madness. She’s left-arm, tall, hoops it about with the new ball and she’ll probably add a yard or two in pace as she develops.

India have a couple of international debutants: Saika Ishaque, a left-arm spinner, and all-rounder Shreyanka Patil.

Harmanpeet Kaur wins it, and England have been told to have a bat. She reckons chasing’s a better option and wants to put pressure on England with this being the series opener. Fair dos.

England’s A side have been in action over in Mumbai, too, winning their three-match T20 series last week against India A 2-1. Good to read that Issy Wong’s been back among the wickets, having had a difficult summer where it seemed she’d lost all rhythm with her bowling. Also, how’s this for a grab from Rhianna Southby, who really made a name for herself behind the stumps at The Hundred earlier this year.

Here’s Raf Nicholson’s preview, with offie Charlie Dean unlikely to feature. Sophie Ecclestone, back from a shoulder injury, is set to make her return.

Hello, hello, hello and welcome to coverage of the opening T20I between England and India at the Wankhede Stadium! It’s that time of year where you’ve got to be real with people, so I’ll level with you – I’m a tad more excited for the Test match later this month, which will be India’s first at home in nine (!) years. But this three-match T20I series will be stellar too, pinky-promise.

England, of course, had a strange end to their summer, that glorious Ashes series followed by a shock 2-1 loss to Sri Lanka in the T20Is before normal service was resumed in the 50-over stuff. They struggled against Sri Lanka’s tweakers, so a trip to India is going to be quite the challenge and one they’ll need to embrace if they want to win next year’s T20 World Cup in Bangladesh.

Anywho, play begins at 1.30pm BST and I’ll be here to take you through to the close. Drop me a line with your thoughts, queries, Christmas wishes, song requests, darkest secrets, whatever you fancy. Cheers!