Indore, October 19, 2025 — In a dramatic ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 encounter, England Women defeated India Women by just four runs in a nail-biting finish.
The star of the night was Heather Knight, who scored a match-winning century in her 300th international appearance, guiding England to victory and securing a semi-final spot.
🏏 Heather Knight Leads England’s Charge
Batting first, England Women posted 288/8 in their allotted 50 overs.
Captain Heather Knight anchored the innings with a brilliant 109-run knock, showcasing flawless timing and smart shot selection.
She received solid support from Amy Jones (51) and Nat Sciver-Brunt, who added crucial middle-order runs. However, England’s momentum slowed toward the end, as they lost five wickets for just 40 runs, falling short of the 300-run mark.
For India Women, Deepti Sharma shone with the ball, delivering her best World Cup figures of 4/51, while Sree Charani took two wickets. Two more dismissals came via sharp run-outs, keeping England’s total within reach.
India’s Brave Chase Falls Short by 4 Runs
Chasing 289, India Women had a shaky start after losing Pratika Rawal early.
Harleen Deol tried to accelerate the innings but departed just before the end of the Powerplay.
The momentum swung India’s way as Smriti Mandhana (88) and Harmanpreet Kaur (70) built a superb 125-run partnership, keeping the chase alive. Both batters played with great control and aggression, rotating strike and finding boundaries with ease.
However, the turning point came when Kaur was dismissed, followed by Mandhana’s wicket soon after, leaving India under pressure.
Deepti Sharma tried to guide India home with a composed half-century, but her dismissal in the final overs proved costly. India finished on 284/5, just four runs short of England’s total.
🎯 England Bowlers Seal the Win
Despite India’s strong position, England’s bowlers showed exceptional composure in the death overs.
Lauren Bell and Linsey Smith provided early breakthroughs, while Nat Sciver-Brunt’s key dismissal of Harmanpreet Kaur swung the game back in England’s favor.
Charlie Dean and Sophie Ecclestone chipped in with two wickets each, maintaining tight lines and executing their plans perfectly. Their fielding efforts, marked by sharp catches and ground saves, played a crucial role in sealing the narrow win.
🗣️ Captains React After the Thriller
England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt praised her team’s resilience:
“We planned to take it one wicket at a time. Smriti and Harmanpreet batted brilliantly, but we knew one breakthrough could change the game. Linsey Smith’s final over was outstanding.”
India skipper Harmanpreet Kaur reflected on the narrow loss:
“Smriti’s wicket was the turning point. We’ve played good cricket but couldn’t cross the line. The belief is still there—we’re focused on the New Zealand match next.”
🌟 Player of the Match: Heather Knight
Heather Knight was named Player of the Match for her superb century.
“It feels incredible to score a ton on my 300th cap. The pitch was great for batting, and once I settled in, I could play more freely. I’m proud of the team’s fight and happy to contribute.”
📅 What’s Next in WCWC 2025
With this victory, England Women have qualified for the semi-finals, while India Women face a must-win clash against New Zealand to stay in contention.
Next up, Sri Lanka Women will take on Bangladesh Women at the Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai, on Monday, October 20, 2025, at 3 PM IST (9:30 AM GMT).
🔍 Key Highlights
• Match: England Women vs India Women, ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025
• Venue: Holkar Stadium, Indore
• Result: England Women won by 4 runs
• Player of the Match: Heather Knight (109 runs)
• Top Performers: Smriti Mandhana (88), Harmanpreet Kaur (70), Deepti Sharma (4/51)
🏆 Summary
Heather Knight’s memorable century and England’s disciplined bowling sealed a thrilling four-run victory over India in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025. With this result, England march confidently into the semi-finals, while India must regroup quickly ahead of their next clash against New Zealand.