The latest clash between India Women (IND W) and England Women (ENG W) turned out to be one of the most gripping encounters of the series, showcasing the best of women’s international cricket. Played in front of a passionate home crowd, the match had everything — early breakthroughs, powerful batting displays, exceptional bowling, and plenty of drama until the final over. In the end, India held their nerves to defeat England and take a crucial lead in the series.
India’s Confident Start
After winning the toss, India captain Harmanpreet Kaur decided to bat first on a surface that looked good for batting but offered some early movement for the bowlers. Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma opened the innings with positive intent. Mandhana, known for her elegant stroke play, took her time to settle before playing her trademark drives through the covers. Shafali, on the other hand, started aggressively, hitting back-to-back boundaries to put pressure on the English bowlers.
England’s Kate Cross struck early by removing Verma for a quick 28, but Mandhana continued to anchor the innings. She was well-supported by Jemimah Rodrigues, who rotated the strike beautifully and punished loose deliveries. The duo stitched a steady partnership, ensuring India didn’t lose momentum. Mandhana brought up her half-century in 54 balls, much to the delight of the crowd.
England’s Fightback with the Ball
Just when India looked set for a big total, England’s bowlers made a strong comeback. Sophie Ecclestone, the world’s top-ranked spinner, bowled with remarkable accuracy, dismissing Mandhana with a clever delivery that turned sharply. Soon after, Nat Sciver-Brunt got rid of Rodrigues, halting India’s momentum.
The middle overs saw India lose wickets at regular intervals as Harmanpreet Kaur and Deepti Sharma tried to stabilize the innings. The England fielders were sharp, cutting off singles and building pressure. At one stage, India were struggling at 180/6, but a late surge from Deepti Sharma and Pooja Vastrakar helped them recover. Their crucial partnership added 50 valuable runs in the final overs, pushing India’s total to a competitive 248/8 in 50 overs.
England’s Chase: A Tale of Hope and Collapse
Chasing 249, England began confidently with Tammy Beaumont and Sophia Dunkley giving their side a solid start. Beaumont looked fluent, timing her shots perfectly and finding the gaps with ease. Dunkley supported her well, taking quick singles and putting the Indian fielders under pressure.
However, India struck back in style when Renuka Singh Thakur produced a brilliant outswinger to dismiss Beaumont for 42. The breakthrough shifted momentum immediately. Rajeshwari Gayakwad then removed Dunkley, and England suddenly found themselves under pressure at 85/2.
England’s hopes rested on Heather Knight and Nat Sciver-Brunt, two of their most experienced players. The pair began rebuilding patiently, rotating the strike and keeping the scoreboard ticking. Just as the partnership started to flourish, Deepti Sharma dismissed Knight with a clever delivery that held its line and hit the top of off stump.
From there, India’s bowlers completely took control of the game. Sciver-Brunt tried to counterattack with some aggressive boundaries, but she found little support at the other end. The lower order, including Amy Jones and Danielle Wyatt, tried to revive the chase but fell to poor shot selection under pressure.
India’s Bowlers Seal the Win
India’s bowling unit deserves huge credit for defending a modest total. Renuka Singh bowled exceptionally in the powerplay, while Deepti Sharma and Rajeshwari Gayakwad were superb in the middle overs. Their tight lines and smart variations made scoring difficult for the England batters.
In the final overs, Pooja Vastrakar’s pace and aggression kept England on the back foot. She bowled two brilliant yorkers in the 48th over, removing Ecclestone and Cross, leaving England 25 runs short of the target. Eventually, England were bowled out for 230 runs, giving India a thrilling 18-run victory.
Key Performers of the Match
Smriti Mandhana (IND): 67 runs off 78 balls — her innings provided the foundation for India’s total.
Deepti Sharma (IND): 38* and 3 wickets — a true all-round performance that turned the game.
Renuka Singh (IND): 2/35 — excellent opening spell under pressure.
Nat Sciver-Brunt (ENG): 45 runs and 1 wicket — England’s standout performer in both departments.
Post-Match Reactions
Speaking after the match, India captain Harmanpreet Kaur praised her team’s fighting spirit. “The girls showed great character, especially our bowlers. Defending a total under 250 against England is never easy, but the way Deepti and Renuka bowled was outstanding,” she said.
England skipper Heather Knight admitted her team missed opportunities. “We were in control during parts of the chase, but we couldn’t convert partnerships. Credit to India — they held their nerve and played better cricket in key moments,” Knight stated.
Series Outlook
With this victory, India took a 2-1 lead in the series, putting them in a strong position to clinch it in the next game. The win also boosted India’s confidence ahead of upcoming ICC tournaments. For England, the focus will now shift to improving their batting depth and handling spin better in subcontinental conditions.
The series has been a great showcase of women’s cricket — competitive, high-quality, and filled with moments of brilliance. Fans can expect more thrilling action as both teams prepare for the next encounter, where England will aim to bounce back and India will look to continue their winning momentum.