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Harmanpreet Kaur’s Century and Kranti Goud’s Six-For Seal ODI Series Win for India Women
India Clinch Series in Thrilling Fashion at Chester-le-Street
India Women’s cricket team registered a thrilling 13-run win over England Women in the third ODI at Chester-le-Street to clinch the series, thanks to a scintillating century from Harmanpreet Kaur and a record-breaking six-wicket haul by Kranti Goud. The visitors posted a formidable 318/5 before restricting England to 305 in a high-scoring contest.
Dominant Batting Display Led by Skipper Harmanpreet
Opting to bat first, India got off to a flying start with Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal stitching a brisk 64-run opening partnership. Mandhana found her rhythm early, smashing boundaries through the covers and pulling with precision, while Rawal offered steady support.
Though both openers departed before reaching their half-centuries, the momentum stayed intact. Harleen Deol and Harmanpreet Kaur built a crucial 81-run stand, with the captain displaying characteristic aggression. Harleen contributed 37 before being dismissed by Lauren Bell.
Kaur then forged a rapid 110-run partnership with Jemimah Rodrigues. Harmanpreet reached her fifty off 54 balls and accelerated further, bringing up her 84-ball century—her first in over a year. Rodrigues played a pivotal supporting role, hitting a 44-ball fifty and peppering the field with boundaries.
India amassed 120 runs in the final 10 overs, thanks to a powerful cameo from Richa Ghosh (20*), who finished with a flourish, including the innings’ only six.
England Fight Back but Fall Short
England’s chase began on a shaky note with Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones dismissed early by Kranti Goud. Goud’s incisive seam bowling rattled the hosts, and Deepti Sharma’s stunning catch to dismiss Jones lifted India’s spirits further.
Emma Lamb and Nat Sciver-Brunt steadied the innings with a mammoth 162-run partnership—the highest for England against India in ODIs. Sciver-Brunt, in particular, was resilient under pressure, crafting a patient 98, while Lamb contributed a gritty 68.
Their dismissals in quick succession, however, exposed England’s fragile middle order. Despite late resistance from Sophia Dunkley and Alice Davidson-Richards, the asking rate climbed. Goud returned to strike again, dismissing key batters and finishing with career-best figures of 6/52—only the fifth time an Indian woman has taken six wickets in an ODI.
Series Sealed and Momentum Gained
India’s win not only secured the ODI series 2-1 but also demonstrated the team’s depth and balance in both batting and bowling departments. Harmanpreet’s leadership, Rodrigues’ consistency, and Goud’s emergence as a frontline bowler bode well for India’s future tours.
This victory is a significant milestone in India’s women’s cricket journey, showcasing their evolving dominance in the 50-over format.
Key Partnerships and Missed Opportunities
Middle Overs and Power Surge
India’s control of the middle overs, particularly from overs 30 to 45, was decisive. England’s bowlers—particularly Ecclestone and Dean—could not halt the scoring, and a few dropped chances, especially Harmanpreet’s missed LBW decision, proved costly.
Similarly, in England’s innings, multiple missed reviews and fielding errors added pressure. Rodrigues’ two crucial catches in the deep tilted the balance decisively in India’s favor.
Match Summary
India Women: 318/5 in 50 overs (Harmanpreet Kaur 102, Jemimah Rodrigues 50; Sophie Ecclestone 1/28)
England Women: 305 in 49.5 overs (Nat Sciver-Brunt 98, Emma Lamb 68; Kranti Goud 6/52)
Result: India Women won by 13 runs
Read more about India’s recent women’s cricket triumphs on ESPNcricinfo.
