The Indore crowd fell silent as Amanjot Kaur’s desperate swing sent the ball soaring… only to land safely in the fielder’s hands. England players erupted in celebration while Indian batters stood frozen – their World Cup hopes hanging by a thread after a heartbreaking 4-run defeat.
The Final Over Drama
Needing 14 runs from six balls, India’s lower order crumbled under pressure against left-arm spinner Linsey Smith. The tension was unbearable:
- Amanjot Kaur’s boundary came too late (18.4 overs)
- Two desperate swings produced only singles (18.5-18.6 overs)
- Sneh Rana’s valiant four off Lauren Bell kept hopes alive (19.1 overs)
- Critical dot balls in the penultimate over turned the tide
England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt’s bold decision to trust Smith paid off spectacularly, crushing India’s chase of 289.
England’s Winning Total
Heather Knight’s magnificent 108 (91 balls) powered England to 288/8 after opting to bat first. Her innings featured:
- 12 boundaries and 3 sixes
- Dominant sweep and reverse-sweep shots
- 73-run opening partnership between Beaumont and Jones
| Batter | Runs | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Heather Knight | 108 | 118.68 |
| Amy Jones | 56 | 89.65 |
| Tammy Beaumont | 47 | 82.45 |
Deepti Sharma’s 4-wicket haul (4/62) restricted England’s late charge, giving India belief in the chase.
India’s Chase Collapse
Smriti Mandhana’s elegant 88 and Harmanpreet Kaur’s fighting 70 had India cruising at 234/3 in the 42nd over. Then disaster struck:
The Turning Point
Mandhana’s dismissal to Smith triggered panic in the Indian camp. What followed was a spectacular implosion:
- 7 wickets fell for 50 runs in last 8 overs
- Only 2 boundaries in the final 36 deliveries
- Deepti Sharma’s quickfire 50 (34 balls) came too late
| Phase | Runs | Wickets | Run Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| First 40 overs | 234 | 3 | 5.85 |
| Last 10 overs | 50 | 7 | 5.00 |
Captains React
Nat Sciver-Brunt (England)
“Everyone showed how calm they were under pressure. Smith was always bowling the last over – her execution was brilliant. Knight’s innings made it difficult for their bowlers.”
Harmanpreet Kaur (India)
“Smriti’s wicket changed everything. We had the experience to finish but couldn’t cross the line. Last five overs hurt us badly – we need to regroup quickly.”
Player of the Match Heather Knight reflected on her special innings: “I wanted a statement performance on my 300th cap. The reverse sweeps felt natural today – conditions allowed more boundary options.”
Historical Context
This defeat extends India’s worrying trends in World Cup chases:
- 10 defeats in 10 attempts when chasing 200+ in WC history
- Second-highest WC total (284) without individual century
- Fourth narrowest defeat in Women’s World Cup history
England’s Narrowest WC Wins
| Margin | Opponent | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 runs | India | Finchampstead | 1993 |
| 3 runs | Australia | Bristol | 2017 |
| 4 runs | India | Indore | 2025 |
Tournament Implications
With this victory, England become the first team to qualify for semi-finals. India now face must-win situations in their remaining matches to keep knockout hopes alive.
Cricket fans can relive England’s journey to the semi-finals through BBC Sport’s coverage.
What’s Next?
England face Australia in a top-of-table clash, while India must win their remaining games to stay in contention. The Women’s World Cup continues to deliver unforgettable moments, proving why this tournament captivates global audiences.
