India vs England Women World Cup 2025 clash at Indore’s Holkar Stadium turned into a thrilling encounter between two world-class sides. England Women, led by captain Heather Knight’s magnificent century, defeated India Women in a tense contest that kept fans on the edge of their seats. Despite a brilliant 84 from Smriti Mandhana and flashes of brilliance from Harmanpreet Kaur, the hosts fell short as England showcased their experience and composure under pressure.
Toss and Team News
England captain Heather Knight won the toss and chose to bat first, a decision that reflected confidence in her batting lineup and a belief that scoreboard pressure would be key on a dry surface under lights.
India, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, made one tactical change — bringing in Sneh Rana for an extra spin option, anticipating the pitch to slow down in the second innings. The hosts, however, knew that only a win would keep their semifinal hopes alive after a string of inconsistent performances.
Playing XIs:
- India Women (IND W): Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (WK), Amanjot Kaur, Sneh Rana, Pooja Vastrakar, Renuka Thakur, Titas Sadhu
- England Women (ENG W): Tammy Beaumont, Sophia Dunkley, Heather Knight (C), Nat Sciver-Brunt, Amy Jones (WK), Alice Capsey, Charlie Dean, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Bell, Sarah Glenn, Linsey Smith
England’s Strong Start: Knight Leads from the Front
Batting first, England’s openers gave a composed start. Tammy Beaumont (34 off 42) and Sophia Dunkley (28 off 37) added a steady 56-run opening stand before Deepti Sharma broke through with her off-spin.
Then came a captain’s masterclass. Heather Knight anchored the innings brilliantly, crafting a sublime 109 off 91 balls, laced with 15 boundaries and a six. She combined poise with precision, rotating strike smartly and punishing the loose deliveries. Her partnership of 98 runs with Amy Jones (56 off 68) stabilized England after two quick wickets in the middle overs.
India’s spinners bowled tightly through the middle phase, but England’s depth ensured they didn’t collapse under pressure. Even after Knight’s dismissal, England pushed hard, thanks to quick cameos from Nat Sciver-Brunt (29 off 23) and Alice Capsey (21 off 16), eventually posting a formidable 288/8 in 50 overs.
Indian Bowling Highlights
India’s bowling unit showed fight but lacked consistency in execution at crucial junctures. Deepti Sharma emerged as the standout performer with a brilliant 4/51, mixing flight and turn effectively. Renuka Thakur (2/58) struck early but leaked runs at the death.
Sneh Rana’s economical spell (1/42) kept England in check during the middle overs, while Pooja Vastrakar’s pace proved useful in breaking partnerships. However, India’s death bowling — especially in the final five overs — allowed England to accelerate from 230 to 288, a factor that ultimately defined the match.
India’s Chase: Mandhana and Harmanpreet Shine Bright
Chasing 289, India started confidently with Smriti Mandhana once again leading from the front. The left-hander, in sublime form, combined timing and placement beautifully, scoring 88 off 94 balls.
Her opening partner Shafali Verma (27 off 31) gave a brisk start, but an untimely dismissal against Sophie Ecclestone shifted momentum slightly in England’s favour.
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur walked in and, alongside Mandhana, steadied the innings with a classy 121-run stand for the third wicket. Harmanpreet’s authoritative stroke play and Mandhana’s elegance made it look like India were cruising towards victory. At 178/2 in the 33rd over, the chase seemed well within control.
But cricket has its own way of scripting drama.
The Turning Point: England’s Death-Bowling Brilliance
Once Mandhana was dismissed by Nat Sciver-Brunt — caught brilliantly at mid-off — the Indian innings began to wobble. Pressure mounted, and the boundaries dried up.
Harmanpreet Kaur reached her half-century but was caught in the deep trying to accelerate (70 off 84). With both set batters gone, India’s middle order struggled to keep up with the required run rate.
Wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh (22 off 19) tried to inject momentum, and Deepti Sharma once again showcased her all-round capabilities with a composed 50 off 57 balls, but England’s bowlers, led by Linsey Smith and Lauren Bell, executed their plans with surgical precision.
The final overs saw a tense finish — India needed 15 runs off the last over. Linsey Smith held her nerve, conceding just 10 runs and clinching a thrilling win for England.
Match Summary
| Team | Score | Overs |
| England Women | 288/8 | 50 overs |
| India Women | 284/6 | 50 overs |
| Result | England Women won by 4 runs | |
| Player of the Match | Heather Knight (109 off 91) |
What Went Wrong for India
India’s loss was not due to lack of effort — it was due to lack of finishing. The key turning points included:
- Death overs bowling: India conceded 58 runs in the last 6 overs of England’s innings.
- Middle-over slowdown: Between overs 35–45 in the chase, India managed just 48 runs, losing crucial momentum.
- Fielding lapses: A dropped catch of Knight on 47 proved costly.
- Tactical execution: A lack of power-hitters in the lower order was evident when the chase demanded acceleration.
Captain’s Reactions
Speaking after the match, Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur said,
“It’s a bad feeling. Heartbreaking, to be honest. We played well for most of the match but couldn’t close it. Smriti and Deepti were outstanding, but as a team, we must learn to finish games under pressure.”
England skipper Heather Knight expressed her delight, saying,
“What a match! India was brilliant, and it could’ve gone either way. Proud of the girls for holding nerve under pressure. These are the kinds of wins that build champions.”
England Qualify, India’s Semifinal Hopes Hang by a Thread
With this victory, England Women confirmed their spot in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 semifinals, maintaining an unbeaten record in the group stage. Their consistency, experience, and calmness under pressure continue to define their campaign.
For India, however, the road ahead is steep. With three defeats in a row, they must win their remaining group matches against New Zealand and Bangladesh — and also depend on other results to qualify. Their net run rate (NRR) could become the deciding factor in the semifinal race.
Key Performers
- Heather Knight (ENG W): 109 (91) – Match-winning century
- Smriti Mandhana (IND W): 88 (94) – Classy knock under pressure
- Deepti Sharma (IND W): 4/51 & 50 (57) – Exceptional all-round display
- Linsey Smith (ENG W): 2/44 – Bowled the decisive final over
Expert Analysis
Cricket experts praised both teams for producing one of the tournament’s finest games. Former Indian cricketer Anjum Chopra commented on-air:
“India dominated large portions of this game but couldn’t cross the finishing line. The difference between the two sides was experience in pressure moments — England knew how to close games.”
Former England skipper Charlotte Edwards added:
“Heather Knight showed why she’s one of the most reliable leaders in world cricket. The calmness and clarity in her decision-making reflect England’s composure as a unit.”
Statistical Highlights
- Heather Knight’s 109 was her 10th ODI century and her third against India.
- Smriti Mandhana now averages 53.4 against England, one of her best records against any team.
- Deepti Sharma became only the second Indian woman to score a 50 and take 4 wickets in a World Cup match.
- England’s 288 is their highest total against India in World Cup history.
What Lies Ahead
- India’s Next Fixtures:
- vs New Zealand Women – October 23, Mumbai
- vs Bangladesh Women – October 26, Kolkata
- England’s Next Fixture:
- vs Australia Women – October 25, Ahmedabad
For India, every game now is a virtual knockout. A single slip could end their World Cup campaign prematurely.
Conclusion
The India vs England Women’s World Cup 2025 clash will be remembered as a classic — a perfect mix of skill, drama, and emotion. It showcased the evolving depth and competitiveness of women’s cricket.
While England Women march confidently into the semifinals, India Women are left to regroup and reflect. They have the talent; they have the temperament — what they need now is the ability to finish strong.
As fans across the country hope for a comeback, one thing remains certain: women’s cricket has never been more thrilling, unpredictable, and inspiring.
