ENG W VS IND W MATCH 20

Right then, that’s all from this thrilling contest where England Women have sealed their semi-final spot, but things get a bit tough for India Women now with only one spot remaining. Next up, we head to the Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai, where Sri Lanka Women take on Bangladesh Women in a high-stakes clash on 20th October, Monday. The action kicks off at 3 pm IST (9.30 am GMT), but as always, you can join us early for all the pre-match build-up and insights. Until then, take care and goodbye!

Nat Sciver-Brunt, the victorious skipper of England Women, expressed her elation, stating that she was absolutely delighted with the team's performance. She revealed that the team had planned to take it one wicket at a time during the bowling innings and acknowledged that Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur's partnership was a crucial moment. However, England was confident that getting a wicket would turn the game in their favor, a strategy they had discussed before the match. Sciver-Brunt praised the team's execution, highlighting their brilliant plans. She also commended Linsey Smith, who delivered the last over, stating that she was always going to bowl it and did a superb job in killing the game. The England captain was impressed with the batter's innings, particularly her sweeps and reverse sweeps, which prevented India from getting into her rhythm. Sciver-Brunt concluded by expressing her team's focus on the remaining games, aiming to qualify for the knockout stages and continue their momentum.

Harmanpreet Kaur, the captain of India Women, says that Smriti Mandhana's wicket was the turning point, but still they had enough batters and do not know how things went wrong. Adds that the mood is definitely a bit down in the dressing room after giving such a big effort, but just not crossing the line. Mentions they have played good cricket in the last three games, but they are just not able to go over the line, which is an area they need to work on. Says that they thought keeping England under 300 was good enough to chase it down, but it was not the case. Further adds that when she and Smriti were batting, it was looking good, but even after their dismissals, they still had others to do the job, but it did not go their way. Ends by saying that they definitely have the belief and are looking forward to the New Zealand game.

Heather Knight is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for her fantastic ton. Knight was really pleased with her performance, appreciating the conditions that were conducive to batting. She felt England needed 300 runs and was frustrated with how she got out but was celebrating her 300th cap, a big occasion. Knight mentioned she was a tiny bit slow at the start but had more boundary options and was free to play reverse sweeps. She was pleased with her match-defining innings, utilizing the gaps in the field to score boundaries square of the wicket.

Presentation Time...

England Women will be thrilled with the way they turned the game around after being on the back foot for most of the chase. Lauren Bell struck early, and Linsey Smith followed up with another wicket, but India Women dominated the middle overs, making it seem like the game might slip away. A crucial breakthrough came when Nat Sciver-Brunt dismissed Harmanpreet Kaur, giving England a lifeline. From there, they fought their way back, chipping away at the Indian batting line-up with regular wickets, as Charlie Dean and Sophie Ecclestone each picked up two key scalps towards the end. Their fielding was outstanding, with sharp catching making all the difference in this nail-biting finish.

Earlier in the game, England Women put up a strong total on the board, led by a brilliant century from Heather Knight in her 300th international appearance. She was well supported by Amy Jones, who notched up a fine half-century, and Nat Sciver-Brunt, who added a handy contribution in the middle order. However, given the platform they had heading into the final ten overs, England would’ve hoped to push well past the 300-mark. Instead, a late collapse saw them lose their last five wickets for just over 40 runs, stalling their momentum and finishing on 288/8. For India Women, the ever-reliable Deepti Sharma starred with the ball, claiming her best World Cup figures of 4/51 in this high-stakes encounter, while Sree Charani chipped in with a couple, and the remaining two wickets came via run-outs.

After that, Smriti Mandhana shifted gears beautifully, and with the ever-reliable Deepti Sharma for company, the pair built another crucial partnership to keep India in the chase. Just when things seemed to be under control, Smriti fell while attempting an ambitious shot, departing for a well-made 88 - a blow that brought the pressure right back on the hosts. Deepti, however, ensured that their stand didn’t go in vain, bringing up her own fifty and guiding India closer to the target. But her dismissal at a critical juncture, with the hosts still needing 27 runs, swung the momentum again, and despite their valiant effort, India fell agonizingly short by just 4 runs.

Chasing a daunting target, India got off to a rather slow start and lost Pratika Rawal early. Harleen Deol tried to inject some momentum with a few crisp shots but fell right at the end of the Powerplay. Smriti Mandhana took her time to settle in and soon found solid support from skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, who looked as determined as ever. The duo began rebuilding steadily before shifting gears once set, finding the boundaries with ease. Both registered splendid half-centuries and stitched together a crucial 125-run stand. However, Kaur’s dismissal for 70 left the hosts still needing over 100 runs, with Mandhana holding the fort at the other end.

ENGLAND WOMEN ADVANCE TO THE SEMI-FINALS! What an incredible heist they’ve pulled off here in Indore, handing India Women their third straight defeat of this World Cup. The hosts will be kicking themselves for letting this one slip away after being in control for large parts of the game. It’s heartbreak and disappointment in the Indian camp, but sheer elation and celebration in the English dugout!

FOUR! A boundary to end the contest but England Women have pulled off a miraculous victory from the jaws of defeat against India Women in Indore. Tossed up on off, Amanjot Kaur swings, gets an outside edge that flies behind backward point for four runs. England Women wins this by 4 runs.

Fuller on middle and leg, Amanjot Kaur sweeps this to deep mid-wicket and takes two. If Smith bowls a legal delivery, it is all over for India Women as they need 9 off the last delivery.

Another excellent fielding effort from Heather Knight this time and it is a dot from Smith. Full and wide of off, Amanjot Kaur drives this crisply to the left of cover for no run.

Short of a length on middle and off, Sneh Rana gets it away to deep square for one.

Low and full again, on middle and leg, Amanjot Kaur smashes this to long on for one.

Low full toss on middle and leg, Sneh Rana flicks this to deep mid-wicket for one.

This English side has saved around 15-20 runs in the field in the closing stages and that's why they find themselves in pole position. Good length wide of off, Amanjot Kaur smashes this off her back foot wide to the left of Nat Sciver-Brunt at cover. A brilliant diving effort to Nat's left from the English skipper keeps it down to 2.