Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Shine, But India Falls Short in Indore Thriller

One of the most awaited matches of the ICC Women's ODI World Cup 2025 was contested between England and India at the Holkar Stadium in Indore. In this nail-biting match, the Indian team was defeated by 4 runs. The Indian team was chasing a score of 289 and scored only 284 for 6. The Indian team required 14 runs in the last over. Only 9 runs were made, and India was defeated by 4 runs. This is Indian women's cricket team's third straight loss in the tournament. England has qualified for the semi-finals with this victory. Australia and South Africa are already through. With this loss, it becomes tough for India to make it to the top 4.

Chasing a target of 289, India suffered the first blow in the form of Pratika Rawal at 13, followed by the second blow in the form of Harleen Deol at 46. Smriti Mandhana and captain Harmanpreet Kaur steadied the faltering innings. They shared a 125-run partnership for the third wicket. During this partnership, India's victory seemed assured. Smriti Mandhana scored 88 runs off 94 balls, and Harmanpreet Kaur made 70 runs off 70 balls, including 10 fours. Mandhana also shared a 67-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Deepti Sharma.

Deepti Sharma, who bowled brilliantly, scored 50 runs off 57 balls, including 5 fours. Harleen Deol scored 24 runs off 31 balls. India needed 42 runs from the last six overs, with six wickets in hand. But after the wickets of Richa Ghosh and Deepti fell, the run rate dropped, while the required run rate increased. The match slowly slipped out of India's hands. The pair of Amanjot Kaur and Sneh Rana failed to score 37 runs in the last 19 balls, 23 runs in the last two overs, and 14 runs in the 50th over. Amanjot scored 18 runs off 15 balls, and Rana remained unbeaten on 10 runs off 9 balls.

England won the toss and batted first against India and scored 288 runs for 8 wickets. Heather Knight scored 109 runs off 91 balls, including 15 fours and 1 six. Besides Knight, Amy Jones scored 56 runs off 68 balls, and Nat Sciver Brunt scored 38 runs off 49 balls. Deepti Sharma was the most successful bowler for India, taking 4 wickets for 51 runs in 10 overs. Shri Charani took two wickets for 68 runs in 10 overs.