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England edged India in Indore as Heather Knight’s 109 powered a semifinal spot. Smriti Mandhana’s 88 went in vain as India now face Recent Zealand in a virtual quarterfinal.
Smriti Mandhana gets emotional after India’s 4-run defeat
Disappointment galore when India found themselves biting the dust in a must-win ICC Women’s Cup game against England in Indore. The ladies in blue were on the right track to a victory with Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur anchoring the chase of 289. India still had control when their 125-run partnership was broken, but once Mandhana departed, things fell apart.
From needing just 55 runs off 53 balls, India unravelled, losing key wickets at crucial junctures. With 14 needed off the last over, Sneh Rana and Amanjot Kaur couldn’t deliver the of completion as England held their nerve to seal a dramatic win and ensure their spot within the semifinals.
After the defeat, a dejected Smriti Mandhana sat within the dugout, struggling to carry back her tears.
Earlier, Heather Knight led from the front with an excellent 109, hitting 15 fours and a six to guide England to 288/8. She shared a 113-run stand with Nat Sciver-Brunt (38), establishing a solid total. Opener Amy Jones added a fast 56, but Knight’s classy century was the highlight on a pitch that offered little help to bowlers.
For India, Deepti Sharma (4/51) was the pick of the bowlers, taking key wickets and breaking vital partnerships.
Smriti Mandhana played a composed 88-run knock, fighting through cramps and a slow start to seek out her rhythm and anchor India’s chase. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur also found form with a fluent 70 off 70 balls, confidently taking up Sophie Ecclestone and Nat Sciver-Brunt.
The victory secured England a spot within the semifinals alongside defending champions Australia and last edition’s runners-up South Africa.
India, meanwhile, at the moment are locked in a tense fight with Recent Zealand for the remaining spot. With Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh all but out of contention, India’s clash against Recent Zealand on October 23 on the DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai is shaping as much as be a virtual quarterfinal.
A cricket enthusiast whose dreams of playing for India paved the way in which for a compelling journey in journalism. With a comprehensive coverage spanning international and domestic cricket across formats, I actually have had …Read More
A cricket enthusiast whose dreams of playing for India paved the way in which for a compelling journey in journalism. With a comprehensive coverage spanning international and domestic cricket across formats, I actually have had … Read More
Indore, India, India
October 20, 2025, 00:44 IST
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