Four-time champions England secured their spot in the Women’s World Cup semifinals after a thrilling four-run victory over hosts India in Indore on Sunday.
England posted a competitive 288-8, thanks to Heather Knight’s century, and managed to defend it despite their bowling being slightly off their usual standard.
India seemed to be on track for victory, needing just 62 runs from the last 10 overs with seven wickets in hand. However, the dismissal of Smriti Mandhana shifted the momentum as pressure mounted and dot balls accumulated. Shortly after, Richa Ghosh and Deepti Sharma were dismissed in quick succession, leaving the lower order vulnerable.
Reckless batting proved costly for India. Mandhana’s dismissal opened the floodgates when she advanced down the pitch to left-arm spinner Linsey Smith but failed to clear long-off. Deepti Sharma, after reaching her half-century, fell trying to hit Sophie Ecclestone, her slog sweep finding the deep mid-wicket perfectly.
“We probably needed 300, but we did well to pull things back and I’m very happy. I didn’t contribute much in the last couple of games, so it felt good to score a match-winning hundred,” said Knight, whose elegant 109 off 91 balls, with 15 fours and a six, was the cornerstone of England’s innings.
England’s openers provided a brisk start with 73 runs for the first wicket before Knight joined captain Nat Sciver-Brunt in a 113-run partnership that kept the scoreboard moving.
At one point, England looked set to surpass 300, but Knight’s run-out while attempting a second run slowed the momentum as India tightened their grip, conceding only 74 runs in the final 10 overs. Deepti Sharma was the standout bowler, taking four wickets.
This was India’s third consecutive defeat, making their next match against New Zealand a virtual knockout. With both teams tied on four points, it’s a do-or-die situation to secure the last semi-final spot, with Australia, England, and South Africa already through.
England, meanwhile, have been clinical and are through to the semifinals with two games to spare. They sit second on the table with nine points, level with defending champions Australia, only separated by a slight difference in Net Run Rate.
“Not sure how we lost this game. We had it in the bag. We’ve worked so hard and when the last five overs slip away from you, it’s heartbreaking. This is the third straight game we’ve lost after coming so close,” lamented India captain Harmanpreet Kaur.
