Continuing their commanding form from the T20I series, the Indian women’s cricket team outclassed England in the opening ODI with a composed four-wicket win. Powered by a composed unbeaten 62 from Deepti Sharma and supported by a sharp 48 from Jemimah Rodrigues, India chased down a target of 259 with 10 balls to spare, marking a resounding start to the three-match series.
Deepti Sharma’s 62* guides India over the line to take the series opener!
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) July 16, 2025
Their second-highest successful chase in women’s ODIs! 🙌
Scorecard: https://t.co/1GIBevN7Ok pic.twitter.com/gpUXsdd3oV
Match Summary
England Women: 258/6 in 50 overs
(Sophia Dunkley 83, Alice Davidson-Richards 53; Sneh Rana 2/31, Kranti Goud 2/55)
India Women: 262/6 in 48.4 overs
(Deepti Sharma 62*, Jemimah Rodrigues 48; Charlie Dean 2/52, Sophie Ecclestone 1/34)
Result: India Women won by 4 wickets
Series Status: India lead 1-0 in 3-match ODI series
England’s Recovery Anchored by Dunkley and Davidson-Richards
England, reeling at 97/4, clawed their way back into the contest through a resilient 114-run stand between Sophia Dunkley (83 off 89) and Alice Davidson-Richards (53 off 67). After early breakthroughs by India’s seamers, the pair stabilized the innings with smart rotation and occasional aggression.
Kranti Goud had earlier rattled England’s top order with a pair of incisive deliveries that dismissed Amy Jones and Tammy Beaumont. Dunkley’s aggressive counterpunch came on her birthday, highlighted by five boundaries in the last five overs, lifting England to a respectable 258/6.
India’s Bowlers Lay the Foundation
India’s bowling was a tale of strategic execution. Sneh Rana’s spell (2/31) in the middle overs proved pivotal, removing both Emma Lamb and Nat Sciver-Brunt in quick succession. Goud, the young right-arm seamer, impressed with her early strikes and unwavering pace under pressure.
🔹 Bowling Figures Snapshot
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sneh Rana | 10 | 31 | 2 |
| Kranti Goud | 9 | 55 | 2 |
| Amanjot Kaur | 7 | 45 | 1 |
| Shree Charani | 5 | 29 | 1 |
Steady Start, Mid-Innings Collapse, and a Match-Winning Stand
India’s chase began steadily with openers Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal rotating the strike fluently. Mandhana’s early flicks through the leg side showcased her timing, while Rawal’s backfoot shots added early momentum. The pair notched their 1,000th partnership run as an opening duo before Mandhana was caught behind.
A mid-innings wobble saw India lose Rawal, Harleen Deol, and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur in a span of seven overs. England’s spinners tightened the screws, with Sophie Ecclestone and Charlie Dean maintaining pressure and reaping rewards.
Deepti Sharma and Jemimah Rodrigues Steal the Show
The match turned decisively during the 90-run partnership between Deepti Sharma and Jemimah Rodrigues, who combined poise with proactive strokeplay. Deepti’s ability to rotate strike and capitalize on poor deliveries was instrumental, highlighted by a powerful slog-sweep for six off Lauren Bell. Rodrigues kept the scoreboard ticking with delicate glances and late cuts, unsettling England’s bowling rhythm.
Even after Rodrigues fell for 48, Deepti marshaled the lower order with assurance. Aided by Amanjot Kaur’s composed cameo, India closed out the game clinically.
Turning Points
- Goud’s Twin Strikes: Dismissing Amy Jones and Tammy Beaumont within her opening spell tilted early momentum.
- Rodrigues’ Catch of the Series: A stunning mid-wicket catch to dismiss Sciver-Brunt broke England’s most dangerous stand.
- England’s Missed DRS: A failure to review an LBW shout against Deepti Sharma, later confirmed out by ball-tracking, proved costly.
Upcoming Fixtures
| Match | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd ODI | July 20, 2025 | Bristol |
| 3rd ODI | July 23, 2025 | Canterbury |
India now stands on the brink of another series win on English soil — a testament to their evolution into one of the most formidable sides in women’s cricket.
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KAUR FALLS! India are 124-4 in their chase of 259 📈
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) July 16, 2025
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Conclusion
India’s performance underscored their growing dominance in white-ball cricket. With depth in both batting and bowling, and match-winners emerging across the lineup, the visitors showcased adaptability and nerve under pressure. England, while competitive, will need sharper execution and fewer lapses in the field if they are to level the series in the next fixture.
