The Indus Zone Tech Desk | In a high-voltage ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 encounter, England Women edged past India Women by just four runs in a nail-biting match played on Sunday. The game had everything a cricket fan could ask for — skill, drama, and emotion — as both teams fought hard till the last over. Despite a spirited chase from India, England held their nerves to snatch victory and strengthen their position at the top of the points table.
England’s Steady Start and Strong Partnerships
England Women won the toss and decided to bat first, hoping to put a solid total on the board. The opening pair of Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones gave England a steady start. Beaumont looked composed, scoring 22 runs off 43 balls with two boundaries before she was dismissed by Indian all-rounder Deepti Sharma.
Wicketkeeper-batter Amy Jones played a crucial hand with a composed 56 from 68 deliveries, including eight boundaries. Her innings helped England recover after the early wicket and set the foundation for a big total.
The standout performer, however, was England’s captain Heather Knight, who played a magnificent knock of 109 runs off 91 balls. Her innings was full of elegant strokes and powerful drives, including 15 fours and a six. Knight anchored the innings beautifully, guiding her team through crucial phases. Her partnership with Nat Sciver-Brunt proved to be vital as they stitched together a 90-run stand for the third wicket.
India’s Bowlers Fight Hard
While England’s batters dominated early on, the Indian bowlers made a strong comeback in the middle overs. Deepti Sharma was the pick of the bowlers, showcasing her class with a four-wicket haul. She took key wickets, including Amy Jones, Tammy Beaumont, and Alice Capsey, finishing with impressive figures.
Young pacer Shree Charani also made her mark by removing Nat Sciver-Brunt (38 off 49) and Sophia Dunkley (15 off 21) at crucial stages. Her disciplined line and length prevented England from running away with the game.
Despite the bowlers’ efforts, England managed to post a competitive total of 288 for 8 in 50 overs. Apart from Knight’s century, contributions from Jones and Sciver-Brunt ensured England reached a challenging score on a flat pitch.
India’s Chase: Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur Shine
Chasing 289, India needed a strong start, but opener Pratika Rawal fell early, scoring just 6 runs off 14 balls. The responsibility then fell on Smriti Mandhana, who once again showed why she is considered one of the best batters in women’s cricket.
Mandhana played a classy knock of 88 runs off 94 balls, hitting eight boundaries. Her fluent stroke play and timing were a delight to watch as she kept India in the hunt. She found a reliable partner in captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who led from the front with a brilliant 70 off 70 deliveries, decorated with ten fours.
Together, Mandhana and Harmanpreet stitched a 120-run partnership that brought India back into the contest. Their stand was the backbone of India’s innings and had fans believing a famous win was on the cards.
Middle-Order Contributions and a Close Finish
After the dismissal of Mandhana, who was caught by Alice Capsey off Linsey Smith, India lost momentum slightly. Harleen Deol contributed 24 runs, while Deepti Sharma continued her all-round show with a fighting 50 off 57 balls.
However, England’s bowlers struck back at crucial times. Nat Sciver-Brunt, Sophie Ecclestone, and Linsey Smith bowled tight lines under pressure, ensuring India’s required run rate kept climbing.
Amanjot Kaur (18 not out) and Sneh Rana (10 not out) tried their best in the final overs, but India fell short by just four runs, finishing at 284 for 6 in 50 overs. It was a heartbreaking loss for the Indian side, especially after coming so close to pulling off a stunning chase.
Deepti Sharma’s All-Round Brilliance
Deepti Sharma’s performance was a big positive for India despite the loss. She contributed both with the bat and ball — scoring a vital half-century and taking four important wickets. Her consistency continues to make her one of the key players in the Indian lineup.
Heather Knight Named Player of the Match
For her outstanding century and leadership, Heather Knight was rightly named the Player of the Match. Her ability to hold the innings together and score under pressure once again proved her class and experience on the big stage.
Points Table Impact
With this win, England Women climbed to second place on the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 points table, tied with Australia at 9 points but slightly behind on net run rate. India, on the other hand, remain in fourth place with 4 points from 5 matches.
The loss means India will now have to win their remaining group-stage games to keep their semifinal hopes alive.
Post-Match Reactions
After the match, England captain Heather Knight praised her team’s fight and execution.
“It was a fantastic team effort. We knew India would come hard at us, but our bowlers held their nerve in the end. The crowd was brilliant, and I’m really proud of the girls,” Knight said.
Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur admitted that the team fell short in key moments.
“We played well, especially in the middle overs, but we couldn’t finish the game. Smriti and Deepti were outstanding, and we’ll look to bounce back stronger,” she said.
What’s Next for Both Teams
England Women will face South Africa next, while India Women will take on New Zealand in a must-win encounter. With the semifinals approaching, every match now carries immense importance for both sides.
Conclusion
The England vs India clash was a perfect example of why the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 has captured the world’s attention. It showcased top-class cricket, fierce competition, and brilliant individual performances.
While England celebrated a thrilling win, India can take heart from their fighting display and look to regroup for their upcoming matches. If the rest of the tournament continues in this fashion, fans are in for an unforgettable cricketing spectacle.
