England secured their place in the Women’s ODI World Cup semi-finals after surviving a late scare to edge India by four runs in a dramatic contest in Indore. Heather Knight’s composed century anchored England’s innings, while India’s promising chase unravelled under pressure despite strong performances from Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur, and Deepti Sharma.
England posted 288 for 8, with Knight scoring 109 and Amy Jones adding 56. Deepti Sharma impressed with 4 for 51. In reply, India fell just short at 284 for 6, with Mandhana making 88, Harmanpreet 70, and Deepti contributing 50.
England’s innings was shaped by Knight’s controlled strokeplay and tactical nous. After an early wobble against India’s spinners, Knight steadied the innings through a 113-run partnership with Nat Sciver-Brunt. Jones had laid the foundation earlier with a patient half-century before falling to Deepti.
Knight, who had rescued England in their previous match against Bangladesh, was once again instrumental, using her sweep and reverse sweep to disrupt India’s spinners. She rotated the strike expertly, showing the improved fitness and awareness that have defined her comeback from a serious injury. Her century came from 86 balls, featuring clever placement and one towering six off Kranti Gaud.
Though Knight was reprieved twice in her nineties, she eventually reached her hundred before falling late, triggering a mini-collapse that limited England to 288 when 320 looked possible. Yet, on a sluggish Indore surface, her innings proved decisive.
India’s pursuit began shakily as Pratika Rawal was dismissed for six in the third over. Harleen Deol’s scratchy 26-ball four added little momentum before she fell lbw to Charlie Dean, leaving Mandhana and Harmanpreet to rebuild.
The pair responded brilliantly, adding 125 for the third wicket. Harmanpreet immediately took charge, lofting Sophie Ecclestone inside-out through the off side and sweeping confidently. Mandhana, initially subdued, settled into rhythm after striking two boundaries behind square off Ecclestone, raising her fifty off 60 balls.
Both batters looked in control until Harmanpreet, on 70, glided a Sciver-Brunt delivery straight to short third, breaking India’s momentum. Mandhana, still calm, found an able partner in Deepti Sharma. Together they rotated the strike effectively, keeping the asking rate in check. But Sciver-Brunt’s decision to recall Linsey Smith for another spell changed the game: Mandhana’s mistimed lofted drive was caught at long-off for 88, leaving India at 234 for 4 in the 42nd over.
From that point, nerves took over. Richa Ghosh drove straight to cover, Deepti fell trying to slog—echoing her dismissal in the 2017 World Cup final—and Sneh Rana and Amanjot Kaur were left with too much to chase. Smith delivered a tight 48th over, conceding just four runs, before returning in the final over to seal victory as India failed to find the boundary.
Knight’s century and England’s disciplined spin attack ultimately proved the difference. While Deepti’s all-round effort stood out, India will rue their inability to finish games from winning positions—a familiar story in recent tournaments.
This defeat marked India’s third consecutive loss, leaving their semi-final hopes hanging by a thread. With New Zealand up next, the margin for error has vanished.
England, meanwhile, joined Australia and South Africa in the last four, maintaining their unbeaten record and reaffirming their status as one of the tournament’s most complete sides.
