The Riverside Ground in Durham was the stage for a pulsating encounter on July 22, 2025, as India Women clinched a dramatic 13-run victory over England Women in the third and final ODI, securing the series 2-1. With the series level at 1-1, the match was a high-stakes affair, and India delivered a performance that showcased their depth, resilience, and flair. A commanding batting display led by Harmanpreet Kaur‘s century, coupled with a sensational six-wicket haul from young pacer Kranti Goud, ensured India’s triumph in a match that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
The victory was a testament to India’s growing prowess in women’s cricket, as they outplayed a strong England side in both batting and bowling. England fought valiantly, with Nat Sciver-Brunt’s near-century providing hope, but India’s clinical execution in the final overs proved decisive. This match not only decided the series but also highlighted the emergence of new stars and the leadership of seasoned campaigners.
India’s Batting: A Collective Masterclass
India’s batting lineup put on a display of sheer brilliance, posting a formidable 318/5 in their 50 overs. The innings was a perfect blend of solid foundations, aggressive strokeplay, and explosive finishing. Opening batter Smriti Mandhana set the tone with a fluent 45 off 54 balls, her elegant drives and precise placement giving India a strong start. Her contribution ensured the team had a platform to build on, setting the stage for the middle order to capitalize.
Jemimah Rodrigues, marking her 50th ODI, celebrated in style with a quickfire 50 off 45 balls. Her aggressive approach, peppered with crisp boundaries, injected momentum into the innings during the middle overs. Harleen Deol complemented Rodrigues with a composed 45 off 65 balls, playing the anchor role to perfection and ensuring India maintained a healthy run rate.
Pic Credits: ESPNcricinfo
The standout performance came from captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who played a captain’s knock of 102 off 84 balls. Her innings, laced with 14 fours, was a masterclass in controlled aggression. Harmanpreet’s ability to find gaps and punish loose deliveries was on full display, and she dedicated her century to her father, who was watching from the stands. Her knock was pivotal in pushing India past the 300-run mark, only the second time they’ve achieved this feat against England in ODIs.
Richa Ghosh provided the finishing touches with a blistering 38 not out off just 18 balls, including three fours and two sixes. Her cameo in the death overs ensured India maximized their total, setting a daunting target of 319 for England. This collective effort from the top to the middle order showcased India’s batting depth and their ability to adapt to different phases of the game.
England’s Bowling: Shared Wickets but Costly Overs
England’s bowling attack, despite their efforts, struggled to contain India’s rampant batting lineup. Each of their five bowlers—Linsey Smith, Charlotte Dean, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Bell, and Lauren Filer—claimed one wicket, but they were unable to apply consistent pressure. Sophie Ecclestone was the pick of the bowlers, conceding just 28 runs in her 10 overs while taking a wicket, but the others were expensive, allowing India to score freely.
Pic Credits: ESPNcricinfo
Lauren Bell dismissed Harleen Deol for 45, breaking a crucial partnership, while Lauren Filer accounted for Jemimah Rodrigues after her half-century. However, England’s bowlers lacked the discipline needed to restrict India’s scoring rate, particularly in the middle and death overs. Nat Sciver-Brunt later reflected that England had let India score “a few too many,” a sentiment echoed by the 318 runs they conceded. The lack of multiple wickets from any single bowler and the inability to curb boundaries highlighted England’s challenges on the day.
England’s Batting: A Valiant Chase Falls Short
Chasing 319, England’s innings got off to a disastrous start, losing both openers within the first two overs. Tammy Beaumont (2) and Amy Jones (4) fell to Kranti Goud’s fiery opening spell, leaving England at 8/2. However, Nat Sciver-Brunt and Emma Lamb staged a remarkable recovery with a 162-run partnership for the third wicket. Sciver-Brunt played a near-flawless knock of 98 off 105 balls, combining elegance with aggression, while Lamb’s 68 off 81 balls provided solid support. Their partnership was the highest for England against India in ODIs, giving them a realistic chance of chasing down the total.
Pic Credits: ESPNcricinfo
The momentum shifted when Emma Lamb was dismissed for 68, followed by Sciver-Brunt’s departure at 98, caught by Richa Ghosh off Deepti Sharma. Sophia Dunkley (34 off 36) and Alice Davidson-Richards (44 off 34) kept England in the hunt, but the required run rate continued to climb. Charlie Dean’s quick 21 off 15 balls provided a late surge, but England needed 23 runs off the final over, a task that proved too steep. They finished at 305 all out in 49.5 overs, falling 13 runs short.
India’s Bowling: Kranti Goud’s Sensational Six-For
India’s bowling attack was spearheaded by the 21-year-old Kranti Goud, who delivered a career-defining performance with figures of 6/52 in 9.5 overs. Goud set the tone early, dismissing Tammy Beaumont (2) and Amy Jones (4) in the first two overs, leaving England in disarray at 8/2. Her ability to swing the ball and maintain a tight line and length troubled the English batters throughout.
Goud’s spell was relentless. As England tried to accelerate, she removed Sophia Dunkley (34) and Alice Davidson-Richards (44), both caught, disrupting their momentum. In the death overs, Goud cleaned up the tail, dismissing Lauren Filer (0) with a searing yorker and Lauren Bell (7) to seal the victory. Her six-wicket haul included a chance at a hat-trick, underlining her composure under pressure. This performance, in only her fourth ODI, marks Goud as a rising star in Indian cricket.
Pic Credits: ESPNcricinfo
Supporting Goud, Shree Charani picked up two wickets, breaking key partnerships, while Deepti Sharma dismissed Nat Sciver-Brunt for 98, a crucial blow. India’s bowlers were backed by exceptional fielding, with sharp catches and disciplined ground fielding ensuring England faced constant pressure. Despite an injury to Sneh Rana during fielding, India’s bowling unit remained unfazed, delivering a clinical performance.
From Captain with lots of heart and love ❤️
A special gesture for a special spell 👌👌
Captain @ImHarmanpreet shares her Player of the Match award with Kranti Gaud and presents her with a signed ball & a special message ✍️#TeamIndia | #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/vRVNlTOBkF
— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) July 23, 2025
A Series to Remember
This series victory underscores India Women’s growing stature in international cricket. Under Harmanpreet Kaur’s leadership, the team displayed remarkable cohesion and adaptability. The emergence of young talents like Kranti Goud, combined with the experience of players like Harmanpreet and Deepti Sharma, bodes well for India’s future. The series win, following a 3-2 victory in the preceding T20I series, highlights India’s ability to compete and triumph in high-pressure situations.
For England, the series was a missed opportunity. Despite strong individual performances, particularly from Nat Sciver-Brunt and Emma Lamb, their early batting collapses and inconsistent bowling proved costly. The team will need to address these areas to challenge India in future encounters.
The third ODI between India and England was a thrilling spectacle, featuring brilliant batting, clinical bowling, and moments of high drama. India’s victory was a result of their dominant batting, led by Harmanpreet Kaur’s century, and a match-defining bowling performance from Kranti Goud. This win not only secured the series but also reinforced India’s position as a powerhouse in women’s cricket. As both teams look ahead, this match will be remembered as a showcase of the skill, passion, and excitement that women’s cricket brings to the global stage.
Also Read: ENG-W vs IND-W: Harmanpreet Kaur’s Blazing 82-Ball Century Seals India’s Series Win