India Emerge Victorious in Series Opener Against England
India women’s cricket team continued their winning momentum from the T20I series with a commanding four-wicket win over England in the opening ODI of the three-match series. The visitors now lead 1-0 in the series, thanks to a gritty, unbeaten 62 from Deepti Sharma and a composed 48-run knock by Jemimah Rodrigues. Their 90-run stand proved to be the difference as India chased down the 259-run target with 10 balls to spare.
Earlier in the day, Sophia Dunkley (83) and Alice Davidson Richards (53) helped England post a competitive 258/6 despite early jolts, but the Indian bowlers led by Kranti Goud (2/55) and Sneh Rana (2/31) ensured the hosts never ran away with the game. India Emerge Victorious
🔹 Goud’s Sparkling Spell Sets the Tone
India’s breakthrough came early in the innings when young pacer Kranti Goud produced an unplayable delivery that nipped back and dislodged Amy Jones’ stumps. The delivery came right after three consecutive wides, and it set the tone for a fiery spell. Goud struck again with a beautiful inswinger to trap Tammy Beaumont plumb in front — a decision confirmed by DRS.
Although Nat Sciver-Brunt and Emma Lamb tried to stabilize England’s innings with a flurry of boundaries, the Indian spin attack pulled things back after the PowerPlay.
🔹 Spinners Pull It Back for India
Sneh Rana came into the attack and made an immediate impact, dismissing Lamb with a cleverly flighted delivery. She followed that up by removing Sciver-Brunt, caught brilliantly by Jemimah Rodrigues at mid-wicket. At 97/4, England were in trouble.
But Dunkley and Davidson Richards counterattacked, rebuilding the innings smartly. Both batters were given reprieves and made the most of it. Dunkley celebrated her birthday with a 68-ball half-century, and Davidson Richards followed suit. However, Shree Charani’s sharp work behind the stumps ended Davidson Richards’ stay. India Emerge Victorious
England accelerated in the final five overs, scoring 49 runs, with Dunkley doing most of the damage before getting out on the last ball. Sophie Ecclestone provided a few valuable runs in the death overs to take England to 258/6. India Emerge Victorious
🔹 Mandhana and Rawal Provide a Steady Start
India’s chase started solidly with Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal getting their eye in. Mandhana was fluent on the onside, playing some trademark flicks and pulls off Lauren Bell. Rawal too looked elegant with backfoot punches and the duo brought up 1000 partnership runs as a pair — a major milestone. India Emerge Victorious
But just when the partnership looked set, Mandhana edged behind and was dismissed. Rawal then fell to Ecclestone, bowled through the gate, and Harleen Deol was run out in bizarre fashion for not grounding her bat. The pressure mounted as captain Harmanpreet Kaur was adjudged LBW on DRS, leaving India in a precarious spot. India Emerge Victorious
🔹 Rodrigues-Deepti Rescue Operation
At 116/4, India needed a solid partnership — and they got exactly that from Jemimah Rodrigues and Deepti Sharma. The pair mixed caution with aggression, attacking Charlie Dean and taking advantage of some loose deliveries from Emma Lamb. India Emerge Victorious
Rodrigues was the more aggressive of the two early on, but Deepti gradually took control. She smashed Bell for a six over deep midwicket and kept rotating the strike smartly. England missed a big chance when they failed to review a delivery that struck Deepti on the thigh pad — later revealed by ball-tracking to be hitting leg stump.
Rodrigues fell for 48 and Richa Ghosh was dismissed soon after, but Deepti held firm and brought up a well-crafted half-century. India Emerge Victorious
🔹 Calm Finish by Amanjot and Deepti
With 22 needed off 22 balls, Amanjot Kaur and Deepti remained composed, hitting timely boundaries to ease any tension in the dressing room. Deepti finished unbeaten on 62 and hit the winning runs as India wrapped up the game in 48.4 overs, sealing a four-wicket win.
🔹 Scorecard Summary
England: 258/6 in 50 overs
(Sophia Dunkley 83, Alice Davidson Richards 53; Sneh Rana 2-31, Kranti Goud 2-55)
India: 262/6 in 48.4 overs
(Deepti Sharma 62*, Jemimah Rodrigues 48; Charlie Dean 2-52, Sophie Ecclestone 1-34)
🔹 Turning Points
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Kranti Goud’s early double-strike: Removed both openers to put England on the back foot.
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Rodrigues-Deepti partnership: Their 90-run stand took India from a dangerous position to the brink of victory. India Emerge Victorious
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Missed DRS opportunity: England not reviewing a plumb LBW cost them Deepti Sharma’s wicket. India Emerge Victorious
🔹 What’s Next?
India will look to wrap up the series in the second ODI, while England will be desperate to bounce back. With both sides showing moments of brilliance, expect a thrilling contest ahead.
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