India lost grip of a promising position and suffered a narrow four-run defeat against England in the Women’s World Cup on Sunday, marking their third consecutive loss in the tournament.
Published: October 20, 2025 12:46 AM IST
India let a strong position slip away and ended up losing by four runs to England in the Women’s World Cup on Sunday, their third straight defeat in the tournament.
Chasing a target of 289, India looked well on track with solid half-centuries from Smriti Mandhana (88), Harmanpreet Kaur (70), and Deepti Sharma (50). However, key wickets fell at the wrong moments. From needing just 55 runs off 53 balls, the team stumbled and eventually required 14 off the final over. England kept their cool, and Sneh Rana along with Amanjot Kaur couldn’t finish the job.
Earlier, veteran off-spinner Deepti Sharma bowled a brilliant spell, taking 4 wickets for 51 runs and helping to limit England to 288/8, led by a superb century (109) from Heather Knight.
With this win, England became the third team to qualify for the semifinals, while India must now win both of their remaining matches to keep their hopes alive.
Mandhana shared a vital 125-run partnership with captain Harmanpreet before adding another 67 runs with Deepti. After Mandhana got out, Deepti stepped up with a steady fifty, but just when it seemed she could guide India home, she lost her wicket. England also removed the dangerous Richa Ghosh in that period.
Mandhana scored her second straight half-century, a gritty and determined innings. Harmanpreet, who had been struggling for form, found her rhythm again with a confident 70 off 70 balls.
Mandhana had a shaky start, almost hitting the ball onto her stumps early, and later had to push through cramps. But she stayed focused and calm during her 94-ball knock.
After the early dismissal of Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol (24) took on the role of attacking batter, giving Mandhana the time to settle in. Mandhana’s first boundary only came in the 14th over, but once she got going, her stroke play improved steadily.
Together, Mandhana and Kaur rotated the strike well, put pressure back on England’s bowlers, and helped India recover from a tough spot. At the halfway point, India needed 164 runs from 150 balls.
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