Four runs.
That’s all that separated India from victory last night at Indore. Four runs that turned celebration into silence, belief into heartbreak. It wasn’t a crushing defeat, but sometimes, the narrowest losses hurt the most – because they make you wonder about every single “what if” that could’ve changed the ending.
The match between India Women and England Women in the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 was one of those games that had everything – pressure, brilliance, and heartbreak – but ended with India walking away with nothing but lessons.
England’s Steady Start and Knight’s Commanding Century
England Women set the tone from the start Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones built a stable platform, and while Beaumont fell early to Deepti Sharma after scoring 22, Jones looked fluent with her 56 off 68 balls. But the real story of the innings was Heather Knight.
Playing in her 300th international appearance, Knight produced a masterclass – an innings worth remembering. Her 109 off 91 balls was an exhibition of patience, precision, and placement. She found the gaps effortlessly and punished loose deliveries without mercy. Even when wickets fell around her, Knight stood firm like the spine of England’s innings.
Nat Sciver-Brunt chipped in with a crucial 38, while Charlie Dean’s quick 19* off 13 balls in the death overs ensured England closed at 288/8 in their 50 overs. A total that wasn’t out of reach – but wasn’t small either.
India’s Chase: A Promising Start That Faded Away
When Pratika Rawal and Smriti Mandhana walked out to chase, there was hope. The crowd believed. India had the batting depth to get there – but as it turned out, belief alone wasn’t enough.
Pratika’s early dismissal for 6 put India under immediate pressure. Mandhana, though was in her element – calm, composed, and classy. Every cover drive off her bat carried the elegance that makes her one of the most dependable openers in world cricket. Her 88 off 94 balls was the anchor India desperately needed.
But she needed someone to build around her. And that’s where India faltered.
Harleen Deol tried to stabilize things with a 24-run cameo, but fell just when her timing started to click. Harmanpreet Kaur – ever the fighter – played a captain’s knock. Her 70 off 70 balls was filled with crisp boundaries, smart rotation, and intent. For a while, it looked like she and Mandhana would take India home.
But just as India began to look comfortable, the middle order stumbled again. Richa Ghosh’s dismissal for just 8 broke the rhythm, and by the time Deepti Sharma joined the party, the required rate had already started to climb. Deepti fought valiantly – her 50 off 57 was sensible and steady – but it wasn’t enough to counter the pressure England’s bowlers kept building.
England’s Bowling: Quietly Ruthless
What stood out about England’s performance wasn’t aggression – it was discipline. Lauren Bell’s early strike gave them the start they wanted, and Linsey Smith, making a quiet but effective contribution, dismissed Mandhana at just the right time. Nat Sciver-Brunt’s control with the ball was as impactful as her leadership on the field, and Sophie Ecclestone’s clever use of flight and angles saw Deepti’s resistance finally end.
There wasn’t a single over that screamed “match-winning” – instead, England chipped away patiently. Each bowler did just enough, and collectively, they created pressure that India couldn’t escape from.
The Final Overs: So Close, Yet So Far
The closing overs had everyone on the edge of their seats. Amanjot Kaur’s unbeaten 18 off 15 and Sneh Rana’s 10 off 9 injected a faint spark of hope. The equation kept swinging – a boundary here, a dot ball there – but England’s nerves held stronger.
When the final ball was bowled, the scoreboard read India 284/6 in 50 overs – just four runs short of what could’ve been a thrilling comeback. The English players erupted in joy; the Indian camp stood still, disbelief written across faces.
The Bigger Picture: A Lesson in Intent
This wasn’t a collapse – it was a slow drift. India didn’t lose because they were outplayed; they lost because they hesitated. There were no wild shots or reckless dismissals – just a lack of urgency.
Sometimes, cricket isn’t about skill – it’s about intent. England believed they could defend 288. India, somewhere along the chase, seemed unsure whether they could reach it. And in that doubt, the game slipped away.
A Painful Reminder, But Not the End
After the match, Harmanpreet Kaur summed it up best – “It’s a bad feeling, heartbreaking.” And it truly was. But heartbreaks like these often plant the seeds for comebacks. This Indian side is too talented to stay down for long. With Mandhana’s form, Harmanpreet’s grit, and Deepti’s all-round consistency, it’s only a matter of time before they bounce back stronger.
Because that’s the thing about cricket – it always gives you another chance. And when that next chance comes, hopefully, India won’t let intent slip through their fingers again.
Also Read: ICC Women’s ODI WC 2025: 3 Reasons For India’s Gut-Wrenching Defeat Against England