England seal CWC25 semi-finals spot with win over India
England successfully defended 289 to secure a narrow win and inflict a third defeat on India in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup.
England hold nerve to beat India in thriller | Match Highlights | CWC25
A magnificent comeback from England as they script a memorable win over India to qualify for ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 semi-finals.
England held their nerve to edge past India by four runs in their ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 clash in Indore on Sunday. After winning the toss and opting to bat first, England posted 288/8 and then maintained control with regular breakthroughs to hand the hosts their third consecutive defeat in the tournament.
The result sees England become the third team to qualify for the semi-finals, joining South Africa and Australia. With the win, England move to nine points from five matches in level with Australia while India remain on four points having played five games.
Smriti Mandhana (88) top-scored for India with valuable contributions from Harmanpreet Kaur (70) and Deepti Sharma (50) that kept the hosts in contention. However, England struck at crucial moments, breaking key partnerships and tightening their grip as the required run rate kept climbing, making the chase increasingly difficult for India in the final overs.
Nat Sciver-Brunt (2/47) was the pick of the bowlers while Linsey Smith, Charlie Dean, Sophie Ecclestone and Lauren Bell chipped in with a wicket each.
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Smriti Mandhana and Deepti Sharma had tilted the momentum in India’s favour with a solid 69-run stand before England struck thrice in quick succession to claw their way back into the contest.
Mandhana, looking well set, was caught at long on while attempting to go big, giving Linsey Smith her first wicket of the match. Nat Sciver-Brunt then dismissed Richa Ghosh and Sophie Ecclestone tightened the screws by removing Deepti, who fell in similar fashion to Mandhana. The flurry of wickets saw India slip from 234/3 to 262/6.
Earlier, Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur had added 125 runs for the third wicket to keep India’s chase on track after the early setbacks. Kaur, who scored 70 off as many balls, was eventually caught at short third while attempting to play the ball late.
Broadcast Details for the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup
Mandhana's gritty knock against England | Player Highlights | CWC25
Watch highlights from Smriti Mandhana's knock against England during the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup clash.
The pair had rebuilt the innings after England struck twice in the powerplay, dismissing Pratika Rawal and Harleen Deol to dent India’s start. Mandhana brought up her second successive fifty, while Kaur registered her first of the tournament to put India in a commanding position.
Lauren Bell had provided England’s first breakthrough when Rawal attempted a late cut but edged through to the keeper. Before the end of the powerplay, Charlie Dean struck again, trapping Deol LBW as she tried to play a slower delivery down the leg side.
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In the first innings, India struck at regular intervals to restrict England to 288/8 after Heather Knight’s magnificent century had set the tone for the innings. England were cruising at 249/4 when Knight fell but India’s bowlers kept chipping away to ensure the total stayed under 300.
Knight top-scored with a superb 109 off 91 balls, laced with 15 fours and a six, while Amy Jones (56) provided a steady start at the top of the order to lay the platform for England.
India’s spinners led the fightback with Deepti Sharma (4/51) standing out as the pick of the bowlers, well supported by Sree Charani (2/68).
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Earlier in the innings, Heather Knight’s century had put England firmly in control before her run out triggered a late collapse. India conceded only 42 runs in the final six overs while picking up five wickets.
Knight and Nat Sciver-Brunt had added 113 runs for the third wicket, steering England’s innings and shifting the momentum in their favour before Sree Charani struck to dismiss the England captain. Knight attempted to loft one over the covers but mistimed her shot, offering a catch to Harmanpreet Kaur.
Their partnership proved vital in maintaining England’s momentum after openers Amy Jones and Tammy Beaumont had laid a solid platform with a 73-run stand.
Harmanpreet Kaur's magnificent catch to remove Nat Sciver-Brunt | CWC25
India captain Harmanpreet Kaur holds onto a stunning catch to remove her England counterpart Nat Sciver-Brunt at the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025.
It was Deepti Sharma who provided India with their first two wickets to remove England openers Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones. Beaumont was bowled while attempting a sweep and the dismissal marked a personal milestone for Deepti, who reached 150 ODI wickets.
Deepti struck again soon after when Jones attempted to go big but was caught at mid-on, where Smriti Mandhana completed a superb diving catch to leave England two down.
Before her dismissal, Jones had anchored the opening partnership with Beaumont and brought up her maiden World Cup fifty, giving England a strong start to their innings.
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England opener Amy Jones took the attack to India's bowling attack at the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 contest.