Women's ODI: India Crush England to Take 1-0 Lead

July 17, 2025 - Based on excellent innings by Deepti Sharma (62*) and Jemimah Rodrigues (48), the Indian women's cricket team defeated England by four wickets with 10 balls to spare in the first ODI.

The match was played in Southampton, where England won the toss and chose to bat first. The host team scored 258 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in the allotted 50 overs, thanks to half-centuries from Sophia Dunkley (83) and Alice Davidson-Richards (53). In reply, India chased down the target by losing 6 wickets in 48.2 overs. Deepti scored an unbeaten 62 runs in 64 balls, hitting three fours and one six. She was named Player of the Match for her match-winning performance.

Strong Start for India

While chasing the target of 259 runs, India made a solid start with a 48-run opening partnership between Pratika Rawal (36) and Smriti Mandhana (28). Lauren Bell gave England the first breakthrough by getting Mandhana caught behind by wicketkeeper Jones.

After that, Pratika added another 46 runs for the second wicket with Harleen Deol (27). Rawal was then bowled by Sophie Ecclestone. When India’s score crossed 100, Alice Davidson-Richards got Deol run out with a sharp throw. Soon after, Charlie Dean struck a big blow by trapping Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur (17) LBW.

Deepti Leads from the Front 

Jemimah (48) and Deepti (62*) built a crucial 90-run partnership for the fifth wicket, turning the match in India’s favour. Jemimah fell just two runs short of her half-century, caught behind off Lauren Filer. She scored 48 runs in 54 balls, hitting 5 boundaries.

Richa Ghosh (10) was stumped by Dean, giving India their sixth loss. But Deepti, along with Amanjot Kaur (20*), calmly finished the chase. Amanjot scored an unbeaten 20 off just 14 balls, hitting 3 fours. Deepti remained not out on 62 from 64 balls, with 3 fours and a six.

For England, Charlie took 2 wickets, while Bell, Sophie Ecclestone and Filer took one each.

England Recover After Poor Start

Earlier, after choosing to bat first, England had a bad start. Kranti Gaud clean bowled Amy Jones (1), and in her next over, she dismissed Tammy Beaumont (5) LBW.

Emma Lamb (39) and captain Nat Sciver-Brunt (41) then added 71 runs for the third wicket. However, Sneh Rana broke the partnership with her spin. She dismissed Lamb (caught by Harmanpreet) and Brunt (caught by Jemimah).

Dunkley and Richards Steady Innings

With the score at 97/4, Dunkley and Alice rescued England with a 106-run stand for the fifth wicket. Shri Charan ended the partnership by stumping Richards. She scored 53 runs off 73 balls, hitting 2 fours.

Dunkley was the last batter to get out, bowled by Amanjot Kaur on the final ball of the innings. Dunkley made 83 runs from 92 balls with 9 fours. Ecclestone remained unbeaten with 23 runs off 19 balls, hitting 3 boundaries.

For India, Sneh Rana and Kranti took 2 wickets each, while Amanjot and Charan picked up one wicket each.