Inconsistency returned to haunt India as it was bundled out for a lowly 134 by England, which chased down the target in 31.2 overs to record its 1st win in the tournament after a hat-trick of defeats. In the end India lost to England by 4 wickets
Inconsistent India paid the price for a poor batting performance, but England breathed new life into its championship defence with a four-wicket triumph in an ICC Women World Cup league-stage game here on Wednesday.
Smriti Mandhana, the previous game’s centurion, top-scored for India with a 35-run knock, while wicketkeeper batter Richa Ghosh struck 33.
England bowled India out in 36.2 overs, with wickets falling at regular intervals eventually India lost to England.
England’s chase got off to a sluggish start as well, losing both of its openers — Danni Wyatt (1) and Tammy Beaumont (1) — cheaply in the third over, leaving the score at four for two. In the second over, Wyatt was the first to go, thanks to a spectacular diving catch by Sneh Rana off medium pacer Meghna Singh (three for 26).
After India requested a review, veteran Jhulan Goswami, the top wicket-taker in tournament history, trapped Beaumont in the second over. It was the pacer’s 250th ODI wicket.
The England innings was then stabilised by Heather Knight (53 not out) and Nat Sciver (45 off 46), who played sensibly to reach 34 for two in 10 overs.
While Knight played a captain’s knock by anchoring the chase, Sciver took the attack to the Indian bowlers, hitting as many as eight boundaries during her entertaining knock.
With only 135 runs needed for victory, England needed a solid third-wicket partnership, which Knight and Sciver provided by sharing 65 runs for the third wicket, eventually sealing the fate as India lost to England by 4 wickets.
Pooja Vastrakar cut Sciver’s innings short. Sciver spooned a length ball to Goswami while seeking to move the ball on the on-side, and he was dismissed softly and against the run of play.
Amy Jones (10) and Knight put on a 33-run stand for the next wicket before the former was caught at mid-on by India vice-captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who took a stunning backward running catch from Rajeshwari Gayakwad’s bowling.
It was game over for India at that point, as England only needed 32 more runs to win. Before England finished the formalities, the Indians picked up two more wickets in the 30th over.
Meghna had both Sophia Dunkley (17) and Katherine Brunt (0) caught behind by wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh within three balls of one other.
Earlier, India’s batting was in stark contrast to its performance against the West Indies in the previous match, when it posted 317 for eight, the best total in the history of the showpiece event, thanks to centuries from Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur.
England’s top bowler, Charlie Dean (four for 23), was the standout performer, while Anya Shrubsole contributed two wickets as the Indians were defeated.
It was a must-win match for title-holder and four-time champion England, who had suffered three defeats in as many matches.
The loss did not knock India out of the top four, as the Mithali Raj-led side sits third in the eight-team rankings with four points earned from two wins and as many losses.
England, on the other hand, has started their campaign and is now in ninth place with two points from four games and adds crucial point as India lost to England in the game.