India Women ended their England tour on a high by sealing the ODI series 2–1 after a thrilling 13-run win in the decider at Chester-le-Street. With the series level at 1–1, the final game was a must-win clash for both teams — and the Women in Blue rose to the challenge in style.
After winning the toss, India elected to bat first and got off to a steady start. Openers Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal added 64 runs before Rawal departed for 26. Mandhana, who looked in good touch, fell for 45, and it was up to skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and Harleen Deol to build the innings. The duo stitched a valuable 81-run partnership for the third wicket, with Harleen also contributing 45 runs.
The highlight of the innings came through a commanding stand between Harmanpreet and Jemimah Rodrigues, who added 110 runs for the fourth wicket. Jemimah scored a fluent 50 off 45 balls, while the captain played a gem of an innings, smashing 102 off just 84 deliveries. Her knock featured brilliant strokeplay and timely aggression.
To cap off the innings, Richa Ghosh provided a late flourish. Her unbeaten 38 off just 18 balls at a strike rate of 211.11 pushed India to a strong total of 318/5 in their 50 overs. For England, all five bowlers — Lauren Bell, Lauren Filer, Sophie Ecclestone, Linsey Smith, and Charlie Dean — took a wicket each.
England’s chase began on a shaky note, losing both openers within eight runs. However, captain Nat Sciver-Brunt and Emma Lamb steadied the innings with a 162-run stand for the third wicket. At that point, England seemed slightly ahead of the game.
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India needed a breakthrough, and Shree Charani delivered by dismissing Lamb for 68. Sciver-Brunt was nearing a century but fell agonisingly short on 98, thanks to a stunning catch from Richa Ghosh. England still fought through contributions from Sophia Dunkley (34), Alice Davidson-Richards (44), and Charlie Dean (21), but India held their nerve.
Kranti Goud turned the game on its head with a brilliant spell. England, cruising at 264/5, suddenly collapsed to 287/9. Goud finished with outstanding figures, claiming six wickets and ensuring England were bowled out for 305 in 49.5 overs.
Harmanpreet Kaur was named both the Player of the Match and Player of the Series. At the presentation, she said, “It’s a great moment for all of us, really happy with the way we played both the series. Credit to the team and support staff for the way we’ve gelled. They’ve all been great on and off the field. Everyone in the team, whenever they get the opportunity, they want to take it with both hands.”
On Charani and Goud, she said, “Both of them got really good experience in the WPL, they’ve been strike bowlers for their teams, they’re always ready to bowl for the team. Really happy with the way Kranti and all of them bowled, it shows how keen they were to win this match and the series.”
She also dedicated her century to her father: “I’ve been working hard, I knew when the right time comes, I’d deliver. I’d dedicate this innings to my dad, I hope he’ll be very happy with the kind of batting. When I wasn’t getting runs, I was under pressure. When you keep working hard, the right time will come. Today was the right platform to deliver.”
Also Read: ENG-W vs IND-W: Harmanpreet’s ‘odd day’, a wake-up call before series decider