India Women suffered heartbreak as England Women defeated them by just four runs in the exciting match at the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 in Indore. With a magnificent century, England’s stalwart Heather Knight set a lofty goal of 288 runs. In response, India put up a fierce fight, with Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur, and Deepti Sharma all making significant contributions, but they were ultimately only able to reach 284 runs in their 50 overs. India needs to win their final two games to maintain hopes of making it to the semi-finals after the thrilling finish guaranteed England a place in the semifinals.
After winning the toss, England decided to bat first on a surface that would allow for good bat-ball balance. Heather Knight led their innings with a spectacular 109-run knock off 91 balls, adorned with 15 fours and a six, marking her 300th international appearance. With a fluid 56 runs, Amy Jones provided strong support, enabling England to reach a commanding 288 for 8 in their 50 overs. In the 45th over, England appeared to be coasting at 249 for 3, but India’s bowlers—especially off-spinner Deepti Sharma, who claimed four wickets—caused a late collapse to keep the total below 300.
India, chasing 289, got off to a rough start after losing Pratika Rawal cheaply, but the seasoned team of Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana steadied the ship with a sophisticated 125-run partnership. India took a commanding lead halfway through the chase thanks to Mandhana’s graceful 88 runs off 94 balls and Kaur’s aggressive 70 runs. As the chase appeared to be well within reach, their partnership demonstrated a combination of timing, boundaries, and astute strike rotation.
However, India lost steam following Harmanpreet’s dismissal in the 31st over. Alongside Mandhana, Deepti Sharma provided some opposition by scoring a crucial 50 runs. The pressure on the Indian lower order increased when Mandhana was removed in the 42nd over, as the asking rate increased above seven runs per over. India lost a few wickets quickly, and the challenge was made more difficult by England’s spinners’ tight bowling in the final overs.
India needed 14 runs off the final six balls in a thrilling finish, which was a difficult ask for the lower-order batter. The Indian innings stalled, scoring just nine runs in the penultimate over, which was bowled by Linsey Smith, despite a boundary from Amanjot Kaur. India was painfully short by four runs after the final ball boundary was too little, too late. As England celebrated a thrilling final over that secured their spot in the semi-finals, the home team’s Holkar Stadium erupted in disappointment.
This match stood out for its brilliance and nerve from both sides. India’s bowlers fought hard to restrict a powerful England batting line-up, and their batters chased with courage and skill. Yet, England’s composure with the bat and clutch bowling in the death overs made the difference. With this victory, England join Australia and South Africa in the semifinals, while India will now face a do-or-die scenario in their remaining fixtures.
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