India Women celebrated a thrilling 13-run victory against England in the third and final ODI at Chester-le-Street to seal the series 2-1. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur led from the front with a sensational 102-run knock, which earned her the Player of the Match award. However, it was a true team effort, backed especially by young pacer Kranti Goud’s stunning six-wicket haul that helped seal the win.
In a heart-warming gesture after the match, Harmanpreet shared her Player of the Match award with Goud, calling her a rising star in the team. The Indian captain was seen in a video shared by the BCCI, handing over the trophy and gifting Goud a signed match ball in recognition of her match-winning performance.
“I am going to share the ‘Player of the Match’ award with Kranti. She bowled one of the best spells of her career… We have been dying for that kind of fast bowler in the Indian team. She deserves this,” said Harmanpreet.
Goud, visibly emotional and proud, asked her captain what was written on the ball. Harmanpreet smiled and replied: “Dear Kranti, you are a star. This was your spell — 9.5 overs, 1 maiden, 52 runs, and 6 wickets.”
India posted an impressive total of 318/5 after being put in to bat. Harmanpreet’s 84-ball 102 was the cornerstone of the innings, and she also crossed the 4000-run mark in ODIs—becoming the third Indian woman to do so. Her effort was supported well by the top and middle-order contributions: Smriti Mandhana and Harleen Deol both scored 45, Jemimah Rodrigues added a steady 50, and Richa Ghosh finished strong with an unbeaten 38.
England’s chase was powered by captain Nat Sciver-Brunt, who fell just two runs short of a century with 98, and Emma Lamb, who made 68. The duo threatened to take the game away, but Goud’s fiery spell halted England’s progress.
Goud struck early, removing both openers Amy Jones and Tammy Beaumont. She continued with the key scalps of Alice Davidson-Richards and Charlie Dean before closing the innings by dismissing Lauren Filer and Lauren Bell. Her final figures—9.5 overs, one maiden, 52 runs, and six wickets—were a reflection of sheer dominance.
With that, Goud became the second-youngest Indian woman to claim a five-wicket haul in ODIs. She finished the series as the top wicket-taker with nine wickets at an outstanding average of 15.11.
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