INDORE: England booked their spot in the semi-finals of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 with a tense four-run victory over India, thanks to a captain’s knock from Heather Knight and composed death bowling under pressure.
Knight starred with a commanding 109 off 91 balls, anchoring England’s total of 288 for 8 after electing to bat first. Despite a strong 125-run partnership between Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur, India fell agonisingly short in their chase, finishing at 284 for 9.
The result secured England’s place in the final four, while India must now defeat New Zealand in Navi Mumbai to stay in contention.
England’s Innings: Knight Leads from the Front
England got off to a solid start, with openers Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones adding 73 runs before Deepti Sharma struck, bowling Beaumont for 22 and becoming the first Indian woman to reach 150 ODI wickets.
Jones brought up her half-century off 62 balls but was dismissed soon after for 56. Captain Knight then joined Nat Sciver-Brunt, and the pair rebuilt steadily before launching a middle-overs assault. Their 113-run stand laid the foundation for a big total.
Knight reached her 50 with a reverse sweep and accelerated as England passed 200 with over 12 overs remaining. Sciver-Brunt was dismissed for 38, but Knight pushed on, reaching her century in 86 balls before being run out for 109 after a mix-up.
Late wickets stalled England’s momentum slightly, with Sophia Dunkley (15), Alice Capsey (2), and Emma Lamb (11) falling in quick succession. Sharma finished with 4 for 48, while England closed on a competitive 288.
India’s Chase: Mandhana and Kaur Shine, But Fall Short
India’s reply started shakily as Lauren Bell dismissed Rawal for 6. A brief counterattack from Harleen Deol ended at 24 when she was trapped LBW by Charlie Dean.
From 42 for 2, Mandhana and Kaur steadied the innings, bringing up the team’s 100 and forming a third-wicket partnership that gave India real hope. Mandhana reached her 50 off 60 balls, followed by Kaur, who struck 70 before falling to Sciver-Brunt.
Sharma then provided solid support, and Mandhana pushed the score past 200 before being dismissed for 88 by Linsey Smith, caught by Capsey in the deep. As the run rate climbed, England’s bowlers held their nerve.
Smith struck again, and Ecclestone removed Sharma for 52 as India needed 27 off the last 18 balls. Tight overs from Smith and Bell sealed the win for England, with India finishing five runs short in a dramatic finish.
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England: Confirmed semi-finalists.
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India: Must beat New Zealand in their final group game to have a chance at progressing.
