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India Women clinched a resounding 4-wicket win over England Women at The Rose Bowl on Wednesday, successfully chasing down a challenging total to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series.
England’s innings: A tale of recovery
After winning the toss and electing to bat, England’s innings got off to a rocky start, losing both openers Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones cheaply to India’s Kranti Goud. Goud’s impressive opening spell (2/55) put England under pressure at 20/2. A steadying partnership of 71 runs between Emma Lamb (39) and Natalie Sciver (41) rebuilt the innings, but India’s spinners struck back. Sneh Rana was particularly effective, taking two crucial wickets for just 31 runs to leave England at 97/4.
The momentum shifted thanks to a superb 106-run partnership for the fifth wicket between Sophia Dunkley and Alice Davidson-Richards. Dunkley was the anchor, top-scoring with a composed 83 runs off 92 balls, while Davidson-Richards provided excellent support with a well-made 53. Their efforts, along with a late cameo from Sophie Ecclestone (23 off 19), propelled England to a competitive total of 258/6.
India’s chase: Deepti Sharma’s heroics
India’s chase began with a solid start from openers Pratika Rawal (36) and Smriti Mandhana (28). However, England’s bowlers fought back, picking up wickets at regular intervals to put the chase in doubt. A run-out and a couple of key wickets, including captain Harmanpreet Kaur, saw India’s middle order wobble.
With the score at 124/4, the match was in the balance. It was then that Deepti Sharma and Jemimah Rodrigues (48) forged a match-winning partnership. The pair added a crucial 90 runs, calmly navigating the pressure and keeping the scoreboard ticking. Though Rodrigues fell just short of a fifty, Deepti Sharma took command. Displaying exceptional composure, she anchored the innings with a brilliant, unbeaten half-century. Her 62 runs off 64 balls, which included three fours and the only six of the match, steered India to victory with 4 wickets in hand and 10 balls to spare.
Also WATCH: Kranti Goud delivers peach of a ball to dismiss Amy Jones at Rose Bowl in the ENG-W vs IND-W 1st ODI
Player of the Match
Deepti Sharma was rightfully named Player of the Match for her match-winning unbeaten knock.
Deepti 🤝 Jemimah
90-run stand between Deepti Sharma and Jemimah Rodrigues played a key role in India's victory#ENGvIND #cricket pic.twitter.com/c6aERQX9cl
— WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ) July 17, 2025
The victory has given India a 1-0 lead in the series. Both teams will now head to Lord’s for the second ODI on Saturday, July 19.
This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
