In a gripping World Cup clash defined by pressure, poise, and a sudden shift in momentum, England’s women edged out hosts India in Indore to cement their place in the semi-finals with a dramatic four-run victory.
England, batting first, built a sturdy platform early on and rode a sublime century from Heather Knight to post 288 for 8. But it wasn’t the total that became the story — it was how India, poised for a comfortable chase, unravelled under the weight of expectation in the final stretch.
For long stretches of the second innings, India looked in full control — cruising at 226 for 3 with overs in hand and wickets to spare. But as often happens in tournament cricket, a single moment flipped the script. Smriti Mandhana, who had anchored the innings with elegance and patience, misjudged the flight of Linsey Smith’s delivery and holed out trying to up the tempo. The crowd fell silent, and England found oxygen.
From there, panic set in. Richa Ghosh fell to a mistimed pull. Deepti Sharma, having reached a well-composed fifty, opted for aggression and paid the price with a top-edge that landed neatly into Sophie Ecclestone’s trap at the boundary. The chase began to collapse inwards — dot balls, miscommunication, and growing anxiety all playing their part.
England’s bowling wasn’t as sharp as usual, with uncharacteristic lapses in line and length, but in the crucial moments, they executed just enough. Katherine Sciver-Brunt and Sophie Ecclestone delivered nervy but effective overs at the death, applying the tourniquet just in time to strangle India’s hopes.
Knight, who had entered the match under scrutiny after a quiet run with the bat, delivered a captain’s innings of the highest order. Her 109 off 91 balls — punctuated by precise strokes and calm decision-making — gave England the breathing room they so desperately needed. She was well-supported by Nat Sciver-Brunt, as the pair added 113 runs in a partnership that, in retrospect, proved match-defining.
India’s bowlers, especially Deepti Sharma with her four-wicket haul, had reeled England back in during the final ten overs, limiting them to just 74 runs. But their efforts were in vain as the batters couldn’t carry the innings across the finish line.
This result leaves India teetering on the edge, now staring down a must-win clash against New Zealand to stay alive in the tournament. Three losses on the trot — all from commanding positions — will sting, and questions will surely follow about composure under pressure.
For England, the result offers a psychological boost. They’re not just through — they’ve done it with games to spare and have shown they can handle the heat when things get tight. With nine points, they sit alongside Australia at the top, only marginally behind on Net Run Rate, and look every bit like contenders.
As for India, their campaign hinges on the final group game — a shot at redemption or a bitter exit.
