India Women edged past England Women by 13 runs in a nail-biting third ODI at Chester-le-Street, sealing a memorable 2-1 series win. The victory was shaped by a spectacular century from captain Harmanpreet Kaur and a match-winning six-wicket haul by young pacer Kranti Goud.
Match Highlights: 3rd ODI, Riverside Ground, July 22
India Bat First: Harmanpreet’s Ton Leads the Way
- Opening Stand: Pratika Rawal (26) and Smriti Mandhana (45) provided a solid start, adding 64 runs for the first wicket.
- Middle Order Contributions:
- Harleen Deol played confidently for her 45.
- Captain Harmanpreet Kaur led from the front, smashing 102 off just 84 balls, with 14 boundaries—her 7th ODI century.
- Jemimah Rodrigues chipped in with a brisk 50.
- Richa Ghosh’s unbeaten cameo of 38* off 18 deliveries gave India a late surge.
- Final Total: India finished on 318/5 in their 50 overs. Each English bowler picked up one wicket, but no one could halt the Indian charge.
England’s Chase: Goud’s Six-fer Steals the Show
- Early Breakthroughs: Kranti Goud struck twice in the first three overs, removing both England openers—Amy Jones (4) and Tammy Beaumont (2).
- Middle Order Resistance:
- Emma Lamb (68) and skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt (98) rebuilt with a 170-run stand.
- Sciver-Brunt fell agonizingly short of her century, caught behind for 98.
- Sophia Dunkley ran herself out for 34; Alice Davidson Richards (44) fought hard to keep England in contention.
- Twist in the Tale: England lost quick wickets in the final overs, collapsing from 264/5 to 305 all out in 49.5 overs.
- Bowling Hero: Kranti Goud delivered a sensational spell, claiming 6 wickets for 52 runs in 9.5 overs, derailing England’s chase at the death.
Key Moments & Result
- India’s disciplined batting posted a challenging 319-run target.
- Early blows from Goud, followed by disciplined death bowling, proved decisive.
- India clinched the match by 13 runs, taking the ODI series 2-1 after also winning the T20I series 3-2 on the same tour.
Scorecard Overview
| Team | Innings | Runs | Wickets | Overs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | 1st | 318 | 5 | 50 |
| England | 2nd | 305 | 10 | 49.5 |
- India win by 13 runs and seal the ODI series 2-1.
Stars of the Match
- Harmanpreet Kaur: Captain’s innings of 102 (84) with 14 boundaries.
- Kranti Goud: Match-winning figures of 6/52 in 9.5 overs—decisive spell in the series decider.
Series Impact
India’s triumph in England, highlighted by collective team effort and individual brilliance, marks a significant achievement and showcases the depth and resilience of the squad.
