This video can not be played. Kemp stars as England beat India to level series.

England 168-5 (20 overs): Kemp 39* (13); Sree Charani 3-25

India 142-9 (20 overs): Bhatia 33 (36); Kemp 2-15

England won by 26 runs. Freya Kemp breathed life into England's preparations for the T20 World Cup as they levelled their series against India with a 26-run victory in Bristol. After being outclassed in the first T20 on Thursday, England were pedestrian with the bat until Kemp took 24 from the last over to finish 39 not out from 13 balls. That lifted England to 168-5, a total that had looked well beyond them just two overs earlier, though India were still well placed at 70-1 in the ninth over of their chase.

But Kemp, only just returning to bowling after more than a year of back injury restrictions, came to the fore again by having the classy Smriti Mandhana caught at deep square leg for 32. Her wicket sparked an impressive fightback from England's bowlers as they first halted India's scoring through Charlie Dean and Sophie Ecclestone and then claimed a flurry of wickets.

After India retired out Yastika Bhatia for 33 from 36 balls – the first instance of the tactic being used in a women's T20 between major nations – Kemp had her replacement Jemimah Rodrigues caught with a slower ball. Needing 39 from the last two overs, India crumbled to 142-9.

Though parts of the batting remain a concern and England also dropped two catches, the win is a significant boost to England as they build towards their opening match of the World Cup at Edgbaston on 12 June. Rather than facing a dead rubber after another demoralising defeat, they can now clinch the series in a decider in Taunton on Tuesday.

Freya Kemp starred with 39 off 13 balls for England and then 2-15 with the ball. In the end, the margin of victory was convincing in England's favour. For long periods, a heavy defeat looked far more likely. Kemp played her part in the bowling fightback but that, in truth, was a team effort. India also stumbled in disappointing fashion.

The boost the 21-year-old all-rounder, who has been plagued by back injuries in recent years, gave to the batting innings was almost single-handed. She hit as many boundaries in the final two overs as the previous 11. Kemp, after coming in at number six with England 116-4 in the 17th over, only faced 13 balls but hit four fours and two sixes. Her strike-rate of 300 was the highest by any England woman in an international innings of 20 or more runs and showed what England have been lacking. Their inability to hit sixes was laid bare in Chelmsford on Thursday and for the first 18 overs here.

Some will question whether Kemp should come in earlier, perhaps ahead of former captain Heather Knight who made 18 from 14, but here she completed her role perfectly, validating coach Charlotte Edwards' call to back her despite an injury-hit career.

Before Kemp's assault, Sophia Dunkley, who has a high score of 26 in five knocks for England this season, was caught behind for 10, having already been dropped on nought. Danni Wyatt-Hodge failed to inspire meaningful increase in scoring at the top after returning following the birth of her child as she made 29 from 25 balls, and while Knight offered more intent amid debate over her place in the side, her high score in seven matches for England this summer remains 28.

England took only 34 runs from the powerplay – a number India bettered by 15 with Shafali Verma looking dangerous in striking five fours before being caught at cover. Mandhana stroked the ball beautifully but after she was dismissed, India fell away badly. Bhatia, who batted excellently for 54 on Thursday, could not get going – nor India's returning captain Harmanpreet Kaur. Credit must go to Dean, who conceded only two from the 13th over with her canny off-spin. Ecclestone was hit for 11 in her first over but her third, on the back of Dean's, cost only one. There was a run of 18 deliveries without a boundary and India could not get going again.

They will be a rival to England for the title next month so this win should not be underestimated.