Huge Heather Knight century helps England advance to semi-finals with thrilling four-run win over India
Updated 19/10/2025 at 22:58 GMT+1
England sealed their place in the semi-finals of the Women’s World Cup with a thrilling victory over India in Indore. Heather Knight notched a masterful century as England set a target of 289 for India to chase and they hung on to claim a four-run win over the co-hosts. India looked certain to reach the target, but a late collapse saw them come up agonisingly short.
Highlights: England post 153-6 in T20 opener before rain abandonment
Video credit: TNT Sports
England won a crucial group-stage match against India by four runs in Indore to reach the Women's World Cup semi-finals. A huge Heather Knight century put England's women in a strong position, while a series of big decisions by captain Nat Sciver-Brunt - along with some sublime bowling - denied a hungry India the victory they looked, at one point, highly likely to achieve.
England came into the clash with the co-hosts unbeaten from their first three completed matches and in need of only one more win to advance to the World Cup semi-finals. And they made a strong start, with the openers putting on 73 for the first wicket.
That was followed by a small stumble before the introduction of Knight who, along with Sciver-Brunt, added 113 more. India bowled well and fielded better, but Knight was in sublime reverse-sweeping mood and looked to be leading England to a score beyond 300 runs.
Only when she gave up her place in the middle, with a rash decision to chase a second run, did the cracks begin to show. From the tail, only Charlie Dean and Emma Lamb made it to double figures, as India restricted their opponents to 288-8.
Nonetheless, it would require the biggest chase India had managed in ODIs. Losing the early wickets of Pratika Rawal and Harleen Deol made that look less likely, before Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana were able to steady the ship.
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Charlie Dean of England (R) celebrates with team mate Amy Jones (L) after the team's victory and progression to the semi-final following the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup India 2025 match between India and England at Holkar Cricket Stadium on October 19, 2025 in Indore, India.
Image credit: Getty Images
Although only briefly ahead of the required run rate, Mandhana in particular was able to keep it in sight, picking up fours with sufficient frequency that it looked like an India win was on. Sciver-Brunt denied those ambitions with a combination of smart field placements and bringing the right bowlers in at the right time.
Although India have a longer batting bench than England, they were seldom able to find a rhythm, or sustain it for long. Once they fell below the rate that demanded boundaries, they struggled to get them, as Sciver-Brunt plugged gaps and frustrated England's opponents.
In contrast, wickets came when England needed them most. Requiring 23 runs from the last two overs looked difficult but doable for India. Sciver-Brunt's decision to hand the ball to Lauren Bell appears as masterful in retrospect as it did risky in the moment, as India could only find the boundary once from the penultimate over.
The result was the second-highest scoring women's ODI and the highest scoring Women's World Cup match to be won by a single-figure margin.
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Player of the Match - Heather Knight
Really pleased [with that century]. I just managed to get into conditions conducive to batting. I got mysel in and put the accelerator down, because I thought we probably needed 300 on that pitch, with the quick outfield. I was a bit frustrated with the way I got out in the end - I thought we'd have pushed it above 300 but really pleased. It was a statement performance on a big occasion. I felt like I had a lot more boundary options, and felt free to play reverse sweep. I got lucky with a couple of top edges, but it was a match-definining innings, which is what I wanted after not contributing as much.
Great calls from the captain?
It came down to the finest of margins in the end, but even those are the aggregate of countless on-field decisions made over the course of the match. The last ones are the easiest to recall but also easiest to argue they were the most important. India weren't quite romping home, but they were flowing, and Nat Sciver-Brunt found a way to interrupt that flow via, mainly an arythmmic bowling mix. Those late wickets - including her own - made a difference, but so did some savvy field placements, and putting Lauren Bell in for the penultimate over rather than going for glory herself. A true team effort, as England said they would need from the outset.
Did India mess that up?
The forlorn looks on the faces of the fans in the stadium suggest that's what they're thinking, but they can't fail to acknowledge - even if they'd rather not admire - the fight shown by England. The pivotal moments were either going to be Heather Knight's wicket or that of Smriti Mandhana, but in the end it was the latter. She simply ran out of legs.
England win by 4 runs!
That was grit and determination personified. India needed just 55 runs from 53 balls, but England refused to lie down. They dragged themselves back into the game, attacking calmly and with champion's discipline, fielding as a team and just refusing to let India through. When they needed a wicket they found one, when India sought boundaries Nat Sciver-Brunt plugged holes.
England have earned their place in the knockout phase of this tournament and India, while it's not over for them, have a job to do.
India 275-6 (49 overs) - Amanjot 11, Rana 8
The England captain is opting out, and instead tosses the ball to Lauren Bell. India have to go for broke and bring up a vital boundary from a full toss to start the over, despite two desperate dives rom fielders out at deep midwicket. Better balls from the rest of the over, a bit slower, questioning, and it's just singles. India have to find the boundary again, and they can't. 14 needed off the last over for India.
India 266-6 (48 overs) - Amanjot 8, Rana 2
Linsey Smith bowling brilliantly to the end, her ull balls restricting India to singles and only four of those. That won't be enough. India need 23 from two overs.
India 262-6 (47 overs) - Amanjot 6, Rana 0
A final over for Sophie Eccelestone and it brings Ecclestone a wicket while costing just one four. England have hauled themselves back into this while India have made a meal of it.
Wicket! Sharma c Dunkley b Ecclestone 50
England are holding onto their catches and that might get them over the line. A slog sweep from Sharma is held by Dunkley in the deep.
India 257-5 (46 overs) - Amanjot 1, Sharma 50
Who's going to hold their nerve the best. A crucial wicket for the captain but India are still in their batters and the predictor makes it 60-40 India.
Wicket! Ghosh c Knight b Sciver-Brunt 8
The captain's gone, and the other captain is responsible. Ghost was too ambitious and landed one in the safe hands of Heather Knight.
India 254-4 (45 overs) - Ghosh 7, Sharma 48
More than 7 runs required now for India, and they're starting to smack but not quite timing it right, at least or the most part. Famous last words. Sophie Eccelestone is just deceptive enough to keep to ones and twos. This is coming down to the wire.
India 247-4 (44 overs) - Ghosh 3, Sharma 46
Into the last seven overs and we still don't know who is going to win this one. Nat Sciver-Brunt brings herself back in. She keeps it straight and tight, knowing where she wants her fielders. At this point it is about restricting India, limiting the big opportunities and she does that well. She knows singles aren't enough for India now. So does Deepti Sharma though, who is able to find the boundary with a delicious shot that bisects the two fielders at long on.
India 241-4 (43 overs) - Ghosh 2, Sharma 41
Sophie Ecclestone looks to maintain the pressure England have been building. It's relieved a bit as Deepti Sharma kneels down to play a lovely sweep in front of square, which goes all the way to the boundary.
India 235-4 (42 overs) - Ghosh 1, Sharma 36
Linsey Smith returns to the attack, for the first of her three remaining overs, and makes it count. She may not have exactly forced the wicket herself, but the angle of attack helped, is working for her and it stops India from scoring more than two singles in that over.
Wicket! Mandhana b Smith c Capsey 88
Smriti Mandhana won't make it to 100, as she makes a very rash decsion to go for a maximum and get it just... wrong. Too straight and straight down the throat of Alice Capsey.
India 233-3 (41 overs) - Mandhana 88, Sharma 35
Lauren Bell has proven the most problematic for the batters to play, because she is forced to attack the ball. Sharma is willing and able, though, slapping the slower ball to the boundary behind square. Still 6.22 required.
India 227-3 (40 overs) - Mandhana 87, Sharma 30
A discussion between captain and bowler, beore Charlie Dean resumes with a couple of good length balls. Even the more wayward one is fine, because the field is where it should be, the gaps are plugged. Just the four given up and with ten overs left India need 62 runs.
India 223-3 (39 overs) - Mandhana 85, Sharma 28
England, now desperate for a wicket, bring Lauren Bell back for a change of pace. She brings disciplined, defensive bowling for the first few, before Deepti positions herself early and picks out the boundary. One bounce, four. Five more for India.
India 218-3 (38 overs) - Mandhana 85, Sharma 23
A bit of fluid on board for Mandhana, a rub of the legs from the physio and she returns to the strike. How much of a difference it will have made we'll soon see. She is 20 runs away from a famous century, India 83 from a vital victory. A wide from Charlie Dean down the leg side fools her own wicketkeeper and goes to the boundary. The very next ball Smriti Mandhana shows how she's feeling by sending it to the same place herself. Nine runs from two balls, that's got to hurt England, and their chances. India now need less than a run a ball.
India 206-3 (37 overs) - Mandhana 80, Sharma 21
Are India going to have to increase the aggression? Officially they're still behind, but it wouldn't take much. At the moment Deepti Sharma is playing very smart cricket, just biding her time, picking up a few decent runs as and where it makes sense, while frustrating the bowlers - none more than Sophie Ecclestone. Ecclestone still very much has her head though. Is Manadhana suffering from cramp? That won't help the chase if it's all going to be singles.
India 200-3 (36 overs) - Mandhana 76, Sharma 19
Excellent run then dive from Emma Lamb prevents another boundary for Sharma. With the match still very much in the balance, it's that sort of commitment that both teams want to see from their players. Runs from every ball of Alice Capsey's latest carry India up to 200 with 6.35 required.
India 193-3 (35 overs) - Mandhana 73, Sharma 15
Sophie Ecclestone, the best bowler in the world, comes in to bowl around the wicket to Smriti, looking to at least get her off strike. Although Smriti manages to get hold of a few, none of them finds the fence. Sharma manages to, though and that's all India need.
India 186-3 (34 overs) - Mandhana 72, Sharma 9
More of Alice Capsey's off-spin which serves to ask some questions of the two at the crease. They're back to singles and trading the strike, as the required rate has crept up towards 6.5 again. Deepti Sharma is doing a decent job of relieving the pressure of her partner.
India 180-3 (33 overs) - Mandhana 69, Sharma 6
The win predictor says it's a 50-50 game, which it doesn't entirely feel like, but who can argue with the super computer? Nat Sciver-Brunt brings herself back into the attack, hoping to repeat the trick of a few overs ago. She manages to deny Sharma a taste of anything appealing and three dots followed by three singles is not to be sniffed at.
India 177-3 (32 overs) - Mandhana 68, Sharma 4
Nat-Sciver-Brunt turns to the offspin of Alice Capsey, who offers one that's too wide and full length, so all Mandhana has to do is nudge it through deep third or four runs. She bowls a better line or the rest of the over, thankfully, but still the singles come India's way. Already you think England need another wicket.
India 170-3 (31 overs) - Mandhana 63, Sharma 2
Four lovely runs from Harmanpreet Kaur at the start of the over, and then the much-needed wicket. Deepti Sharma comes in and gets off the mark, as India now need 119 from the 114 balls remaining.
Wicket! Kaur c Lamb b Sciver-Brunt 70
That's the one! Great take from emma Lamb at short third. There was a question as to whether it carried but confirmation there came. That might just have put England back in the game.
India 163-2 (30 overs) - Mandhana 63, Kaur 66
India now need just one run a ball, and the key to that might be with slow balls, that force India to play them, to add the power themselves. That was a better over from Charlie Dean.
India 158-2 (29 overs) - Mandhana 63, Kaur 60
The captain gives up two boundaries in a row and the momentum is well and truly with the hosts now. England need to change something after Sciver-Brunt is played brilliantly by the batters. All it should take is one wicket, though.
India 149-2 (28 overs) - Mandhana 60, Kaur 54
I think Charlie Dean is starting to flag. Her bowling, which was hyper disciplined, has just started to roughen and it's costing them. India, for their part, have found a flow, that is making the runs look effortless.
India 140-2 (27 overs) - Mandhana 55, Kaur 50
Lauren Bell looking a bit rageged, giving up two wides at the start of the over, and then a slow full toss out of the back of the hand which Kaur is happy to cannon through the covers for four. With the very next ball Harmanpreet Kaur reaches her own 50 with a little tap to the off-side for a single. Questions asked of England, notably, how are they going to break this partnership? Need some magic.
India 131-2 (26 overs) - Mandhana 54, Kaur 44
Three good dot balls in a row from Charlie Dean and then a couple of singles puts pressure on India, but Mandhana shows she's a match for it with a four that Dean could have prevented if she'd kept her length. There's a muted celebration from the Indian dressing room as Mandhana reaches her half century. This isn't the job, but it's nice to have.
India 125-2 (25 overs) - Mandhana 49, Kaur 43
Lauren Bell is back in the attack and her first ball upon returning is delivered with real intent, right at the toe of Kaur. India are just about edging it, which arguably puts them further ahead given England's collapse in the last ten overs. The bowlers really would welcome a wicket, but will settle for spending a mere two runs.
India 123-2 (24 overs) - Mandhana 48, Kaur 42
Massive moment in the game as Charlie Dean is sure she's got Kaur. The umpire agrees, kaur thinks it's drifting down leg and... it turns out it got a bit of bat. That seemed to surprise everyone involved. Kaur claims a couple more relived, you'd imagine, to still be in the game.
India 120-2 (23 overs) - Mandhana 48, Kaur 39
England positioning the field to invite the batters to take a bit more of a look down the leg side and it's not exactly working, but something has at east stemmed the tide of boundaries.
India 114-2 (22 overs) - Mandhana 44, Kaur 37
It looks like England have changed up and are looking to bowl a bit straighter. Certainly Smith is forcing the pair back, with mid length balls at best. Five more singles from that over keep India about one behind the required rate. A wicket would be nice for England but that strong early start has bought them a bit of leeway. Just a bit, mind.
India 109-2 (21 overs) - Mandhana 41, Kaur 35
Ecclestone proving a touch more expensive, which is perhaps the price paid for more aggression, offering more temptation with width. Another four runs come Mandhana's way with a cleanly threaded push between the fielders at point.
India 99-2 (20 overs) - Mandhana 36, Kaur 35
Linsey Smith isn't giving up easy runs, even as she's yet to come close to a wicket. A few more singles is the best India can take from these balls she's sending towards the stumps. Just 20 runs allowed from her 6 overs.
India 99-2 (19 overs) - Mandhana 33, Kaur 33
Sophie Ecclestone is easing into it, just troubling Mandhana's outside edge. You feel like a wicket might be coming from the finger spin but then Mandhana cuts one brilliantly into the gap between point and short third. Still eight runs ahead of England at the same stage, but of course the opponents had yet to get going with Heather Knight's sweeps.
India 93-2 (18 overs) - Mandhana 28, Kaur 32
Kaur refusing to let the England spinners settle, and she carves another one away from Linsey Smith or four runs through extra cover. Another single from Mandhana, who has just quietly been gettign on with it, brings up the 50 partnership.
India 86-2 (17 overs) - Mandhana 27, Kaur 26
Sophie Ecclestone looks like she means business but there's quite a lot expected of her now, as she looks to slow the leaks and bring a bit of unhappiness to the Indian camp. She can't stop Kaur playing an elegant half volley over extra cover for four, but she does almost invite the same batter to play on. Another six runs for India, it's not quite working for England at the moment.
India 80-2 (16 overs) - Mandhana 26, Kaur 21
The crowd cheering every run, and the running is good between these two. Singles will get them there, and if not lay a foundation for the hard hitters to come. 209 runs required and as it's time for drinks, India are seven runs ahead of where England were at the same point.
India 75-2 (15 overs) - Mandhana 22, Kaur 20
Sophie Ecclestone, enlgand's erstwhile trump card, comes into the attack with a view to splitting the partnership. She starts by just probing and stopping the opponents scoring as freely, before offering one up a bit too generously which Kaur send to the boundary between the covers.
India 70-2 (14 overs) - Mandhana 21, Kaur 16
Charlie Dean is starting to look expensive, but it's more down to field placement, the absence of slips that's costing England. Two fours given up to Mandhana in as many balls takes India within sight of the target run rate.
India 59-2 (13 overs) - Mandhana 11, Kaur 15
India picking up a few more singles and doubles, just as Enlgand did after the power play, before Kaur helps herself to a third four in 15 balls. The crowd are starting to enjoy theselves. Nat Sciver-Brunt's cutters just aren't working.
India 52-2 (12 overs) - Mandhana 10, Kaur 9
Another boundary for the captain, a slightly fortuitous slice behind point. India still behind but catching up.
India 48-2 (11 overs) - Mandhana 10, Kaur 5
A good start, albeit a languid one, to Harmanpreet Kaur's innings, as she flicks Sciver-Brunt for four past midwicket. England will want to stop these two from forming a dangerous partnership.
India 42-2 (10 overs) - Mandhana 9
A valuable wicket as it proves. Charlie Dean entered the attack, and Deol immediately sent her for four with a late pat past short third. Dean gave up another as Harleen Deol dishes up a sublime cover drive that a superman dive in isn't saving. That's all she wrote, however, as she was caught flat footed and After getting going, India again look to be in trouble.
Wicket! Deol lbw b Dean 24
Charlie with the last ball of her first over, strikes Deol right on the back pad. The umpire has no doubt and it looks pretty plum. Great line, perfect length. Deol doesn't review, then changes her mind, but has left it too late. Off she walks.
India 34-1 (9 overs) - Mandhana 9, Deol 16
Nat Sciver-Brunt brings herself on for a power play over. Her first ball is very close, her second isn't so competent, with Deol clipping a straight ball comfortably over midwicket. Dunkley runs after it, and dives, but can't prevent the boundary. Better bowling from NSB to see out the over, giving up just one more.
India 29-1 (8 overs) - Mandhana 9, Deol 11
Linsey Smith says 'back in your box' giving up just two runs. 3.62 the rate int he first 8, well below that required of 6.19.
India 27-1 (7 overs) - Mandhana 8, Deol 10
The tight bowling continues and England look more like getting a second than India a boundary. Until Bell does send down a nice one that Deol is able to leap on and help to the fine leg boundary. She takes confidence from that to get another two balls later, a strong cover drive threading the needle between cover and point. That'll settle the nerves.
India 18-1 (6 overs) - Mandhana 7, Deol 2
England keeping India on the defensive more than halfway through the powerplay period. The local spectators don't look nervous, but perhaps they ought to be with this slow start. Still a long way to go, but they could even be two down. Tammy Beaumont just came close to catching Mandhana at square leg but it was by a fingertip.
India 17-1 (5 overs) - Mandhana 6, Deol 2
Good pressure from the England bowlers, just as they should be, Smith and Bell punching and counterpunching. Giving up the odd wide is fine if you keep your opponents guessing as they seem to be. A very threatening outswinger from Bell almost crashes the stumps but zips just over.
India 16-1 (4 overs) - Mandhana 5, Deol 2
That wicket could prove immensely important to England, unsettling India early doors, keeping them tentative when they will want to be settling in, growing in confidence.
India 13-1 (3 overs) - Mandhana 4
Both batters and bowlers finding their feet early on in this innings, with India looking to gauge what's set to come to them, and Lauren Bell just finding her lines. A couple of wides in that over, but not unlike that we saw from India a few hours ago. A punch off the pack foot from Rawal before she gifts her wicket away in silly style, dangling her bat at it.
Wicket! Rawal c Jones b Bell 6
Huge early wicket. A big noise and a clear nick. One ball after a boundary, she had perhaps a bit too much confidence, playing a bit of a nothing shot. It's a good catch from the wicketkeeper.
India 6-0 (2 overs) - Rawal 2, Mandhana 3
Linsey Smith with the new ball, bringing a bit of left arm spin to the party. She almost takes a wicket straight away, but Charlie Dean can't get both hands to it cleanly, dropping Rawal's punch on the dive. Some good, full balls gives up just two runs, but she'll fancy she should have a wicket to go with them.
India 4-0 (1 over) - Rawal 1, Mandhana 2
Lauren Bell looks very happy to be back in the side after illness, and her first balls show she's up for the fight, taking it to Rawal with full balls. The opener gets off the mark with a single, punched to backward point. Mandhana picks up two which could have been a wicket, as she almost plays on.
Final words in the huddle
The England captain looks cool, calm and collected. Under the lights of Indare, 20,000 Indian fans will be roaring every boundary.
India need to beat their highest ever run chase
Their previous best being 285. So as disappointing as the collapse might have been for England, they still made it to the line. They put runs on the board, which is what matters, and India have, as yet, nothing.
Deepti Sharma's 4-51 could yet prove the difference
The only bowler to really trouble England's batters, she saw off both openers in some style.
England 5 for 39 after Knight's dismissal
The consensus is the total is still just about or just above par, but all that means is India can afford to do the same. If their fielding is any indication India aren't going to come out below par. For all the credit you have to give to Heather Knight for the way she batted, what a disappointing way to leave the middle. England surely would have reached 300+ if she'd held on for just a bit longer.
Heather Knight: The pressure is on India
It was nice to contribute on a wicket more conducive to batting. The score is only just above par which means we've got to bowl well to defend it. I was the more aggressive in my partnership with Nat (Sciver-Brunt), and using my sweeps proved effective. The outfield is fast, but if the seamers hold their lengths and go top of the stumps, put the pressure on them. It's a key game for them.
England finish on 288-8 (50 overs)
Eight runs final three balls salvages a reasonable score for England. It probably could and should have been over 300 but this is at least close to par, and is far from a foregone conclusion that India will reach it. England will have to match India in the field, you'd think, and be at least as tight with the ball in hand.
Wicket! Ecclestone run-out 3
Dean had to go for the run, but Richa was onto it in a flash.
England 277-7 (49 overs) - Dean 12, Ecclestone 1
Another vital four by Charlie Dean, taking England at least coser to a par score. A geat reverse sweep that.
Wicket! Lamb c Mandhana b Sharma 11
She goes high but it's not far enough to go over the head of Manhana who's at the rope and takes it comfortably.
England 269-6 (48 overs) - Dean 5, Lamb 11
After a drought of boundaries finally Emma Lamb is able to find the rope. She's helped by some uncharacteristically loose fielding. The momentum will be with India unless these two can come up with something in the closing overs.
England 260-6 (47 overs) - Dean 2, Lamb 5
India's tails are up, their body language transformed. England are now reaching but it's hard when the bowling is this measured and decisive. Just singles off Sharma as India chases everything.
Wicket! Capsey c Deol b Sharma 2
England losing their way a bit towards the end here. Capsey couldn't quite make up her mind whether to go for the regular sweep or reverse and it turns into an easy loft up to the fielder. Three wickets for eight runs.
England 255-5 (46 overs) - Capsey 1, Lamb 3
Can India take another wicket or two to really put England under pressure? You can feel the tension and certainly hear the excitement inside the ground. Both teams need to be aggressive and both can afford to be. Alice Capsey can sweep, we know that, while Emma Lamb likes to play it straight.
Wicket! Dunkley c Sharma b Charani 15
I was just saying India would dearly like another wicket to put England under pressure and it comes. Sophia Dunkley's travails continue as she gets her timing all wrong. Easy take for Deepti at long off.
England 252-4 (45 overs) - Dunkley 15, Lamb 2
Heather Knight will be kicking herself. She wanted to stay there for 33 more balls and England wanted her in the middle as well. Vital five more to come now. Emma Lamb has struggled in the middle of the order but this might be how she moves up.
Wicket! Knight run-out 109
After all that she gives up her wicket by unnecessarily going back for a second. Her pull shot to deep square was good but Amanjot was quick to it and her throw was perfect, one bounce to the keeper and Knight wasn't close.
England 246-3 (44 overs) - Dunkley 13, Knight 107
Runs flowing again for England. Heather Knight's 14th four isn't the prettiest but it takes her to three figures. The one immediately after is sumptuous, however, a calm cut wide of point. Ten runs in that over alone, as India are flailing again.
Heather Knight reaches her century!
What an innings in the highest pressure of circumstances. It's a subdued celebration, a sigh of relief. She knows the result is what matters today.
England 234-3 (43 overs) - Dunkley 11, Knight 97
Phew that was close. Heather Knight misjudges a bad ball from Thakur but gets away with it as she's dropped by Deepti at short backward square. You can see the relief on her face. She shows her gratitutde with another big four, hammering a soft one from Renuka all the way. It had nothing on it, so she had to produce all the power herself.
England 226-3 (42 overs) - Dunkley 3, Knight 91
An important first boundary for Sophia Dunkley, even if it wasn't convincing, coming off the top edge and almost into the gloves. Does it matter how they come? It does not. Eight more runs, with England at 5.38. The projected total is 269, which India would be okay with you'd think, where England would want more.
England 218-3 (41 overs) - Dunkley 3, Knight 89
A big ten overs coming up. It could be the difference between a reachable target for India and not. Only singles and dots in the last two overs, which is fine for England, but they might have to start firing cannons again. A wicket can really jolt a team out of its rhythm - or into it - and that seems to have been the case here.
England 214-3 (40 overs) - Dunkley 1, Knight 87
Better from India, with the ball and in the field. Stingy I'd call it, in fact, in that over.
England 211-3 (39 overs) - Dunkley 0, Knight 85
Such an important wicket for India, but you'd argue they need another one to bring this back in their favour. Even with it you'd still say England are heading to a difficult total.
Wicket! Sciver-Brunt c Kaur b Charani (38) - England 211-3
India finally crack the partnership. They needed that wicket, even if they might have preferred the other one. NSB looked to go high and long but it wasn't long enough. Harmanpreet was well placed to take a good catch.
England 208-2 (38 overs) - Sciver-Brunt 37, Knight 83
England are very much in charge, and after a quiet spell, Nat Sciver-Brunt gets in on the action with a hefty pull through midwicket. There was a lot of power on that and there needed to be because the fielder was well placed. Two balls later Heather Knight brings up the first maximum of this match with an almighty crack over deep midwicket. Fourteen from that over. England at almost 5.5 runs per over.
England 194-2 (37 overs) - Sciver-Brunt 30, Knight 76
Deepti does indeed return but Heather Knight shows she can sweep anything. Masterful she's been in the last fifteen overs or so, really shifting up a few gears. India need to break this partnership and they get at least a sniff of an lbw, but Jacqueline Williams says no. India have little choice but to review, but it looked to be turning too much. So it proves.
England 187-2 (36 overs) - Sciver-Brunt 28, Knight 71
The bails come off, the lights come on, the crowd think Nat Sciver-Brunt's been bowled but she hasn't. The ball went through but bounced back off the wicketkeeper. The glumness in the Indian dressing room is compounded by another top edge sweep by Heather Knight which goes the same way as the last one. She's living on the edge but that's eleven of them now. With Enlgand motoring, India need Deepti Sharma again, you'd think.
England 180-2 (35 overs) - Sciver-Brunt 26, Knight 66
And another four behind for Heather Knight. She arguably got lucky with that one, top edging it but it was too from the position of the fielder, who should probably have been further back. The outfield at that end is definitely quicker than elsewhere on this pitch. Knight closes out the over with another reverse sweep which is unanswerable. She got down low, played a fine shot and sent it to deep third. The innings is starting to run away from India who have conceded 43 runs from the last five overs.
England 170-2 (34 overs) - Sciver-Brunt 25, Knight 57
No more joy for Amajot that Rana was enjoying, as she offers a loose delivery down the leg side which Heather Knight just helps on its way past the keeper and all the way to the boundary. Heather Knight has scored a quarter of her runs from behind the square. Wickets can obviously come from anywhere, but usually there are signs and we haven't seen any for a while.
England 165-2 (33 overs) - Sciver-Brunt 25, Knight 52
There looked to be a long chat in the Indian camp during that drinks break. You have to wonder what they will have been saying. Sneh Rana looks to be questioning herself and while she changes it up a few times there's nothing she can do to prevent Heather Knight from reaching her half century, with a expert reverse sweep through deep third. That takes England to exactly 5 an over, 28 scored in the last 18 balls.
England 156-2 (32 overs) - Sciver-Brunt 23, Knight 45
Time for England to put their foot down. Heather Knight seems to think so with two strong, very different but similarly purposeful shots. The first of two consecutive boundaries off Charani is an elegant sweep through deep square. That brings up the 50 partnership. The second is no less impressive but it's forceful, and shows her perception as she bashes the overcorrection through backward point. This is a classy innings from Heather Knight as we reach drinks.
England 145-2 (31 overs) - Sciver-Brunt 23, Knight 34
Amanjot gives away a four to NSB, with a full toss she almost has no choice but to send to the long-on rope. Just slightly, almost imperceptible, but the momentum has swung back the other way in that over.
England 137-2 (30 overs) - Sciver-Brunt 16, Knight 33
That's the kind of bowling that'll really delight them in the ground, as Shree Charani only gives up one She tells Heather Knight she's going to have to risk her wicket if she wants to score big. England aren't at that point yet.
England 136-2 (29 overs) - Sciver-Brunt 15, Knight 33
Gaud keeps it tight with her turn, keeping the batters to one each with one wide. India's fans are still looking cheerful - when don't they - but England are showing every sign they can make the hosts work for the result. 300 looked right before, now it seems quite doable.
England 133-2 (28 overs) - Sciver-Brunt 14, Knight 32
Up and over for four and another confident sweep from Heather Knight who now looks to have been biding her time, warming up for a more assertive spell with the bat. From 11 from 27, she's now 32 off 39.
England 128-2 (27 overs) - Sciver-Brunt 14, Knight 27
There's a lot of responsibility on this partnership but you wouldn't know it to watch them. Good line and length from Kranti Gaud in that over is supported by some excellent fielding, which has been the hallmark of this match so far for India. The commitment to not let anything go past if they can help it has really kept the game in their hands.
England 126-2 (26 overs) - Sciver-Brunt 13, Knight 26
And another big shot from Heather Knight, who sweeps through square leg to the rope. Cries of "catch it" but no-one's getting near that one. One single each from them adds a valuable six runs to England's total with the clip at 4.84. There's a lot
England 120-2 (25 overs) - Sciver-Brunt 12, Knight 21
What was that about supporting player? Nonsense, says Heather Knight, who surprises the wicketkeeper by opening her bat and sending Amanjot's short one all the way behind for four more. That's her second boundary from 28 balls, as we reach a quarter of the match completed.
England 113-2 (24 overs) - Sciver-Brunt 11, Knight 15
Despite the inconvenient interruptions of those wickets, England continue to progress towards a decent score. Three more off that over as the run rate holds at 4.70. Not even close to panic stations.
England 110-2 (23 overs) - Sciver-Brunt 10, Knight 13
Four more from the England captain who clubs the full toss wide of Renuka to the midwicket rope. Heather Knight seems happy to support the leading lady on her 300th international appearance.
England 104-2 (22 overs) - Sciver-Brunt 5, Knight 12
The captain comes in and immediately shows she's not letting her team cave. She seizes on a full ball drifting down leg and plays a strong sweep all the way to the boundary. India will be happier now than England but there's lots of life in this innings yet.
Wicket! Jones c Mandhana b Sharma (56) - England 98-2
That's the wicket India wanted and it stops England in their tracks. A fantastic take from Mandhana, who leaped like a salmon. Deepti Sharma fooled Amy Jones with pace and the wicketkeeper batter just went a bit early to it.
England 98-1 (21 overs) - Jones 56, Knight 12
Heather Knight grabs her first boundary with a lovely cut past backward square, using the ball, adding very little to it but immaculate direction.
England 92-1 (20 overs) - Jones 55, Knight 7
Deepti Sharma keeping England guessing with a few different changes of pace in that over. Just a pair of singles, one each, as England reach 92 at a rate of 4.60, faster from the second ten than the first. Nicely balanced after about 20% of the match has been played.
England 90-1 (19 overs) - Jones 54, Knight 6
Thakur returns to the India attack, replacing Kranti, and she's given a slightly more generous field which she may come to regret with Amy Jones in this kind of confidence. Indeed, she moves to 50, her maiden half century in World Cup cricket, with a looping swing over the fielder and all the way to the long-on boundary.
England 84-1 (18 overs) - Jones 49, Knight 5
Heather Knight gets a bit lucky off the first ball of that over, scoring two from a ball she didn't know much about. She was expecting it to spin, and it didn't. India have pushed their field deep, telling England that they're going to have to run them.
England 79-1 (17 overs) - Jones 48, Knight 1
Heather Knight comes in as England look to build again, and Knight gets off the mark straight away before Amy Jones gets a very good look at a short one and bashes it all the way through square to the rope.
England 73-1 (16 overs) - Jones 43
The breakthrough for India straight after the break. Can they build on it? Can England reset?
Wicket! Beaumont bowled by Sharma (22) - England 73-1
Tammy Beaumont plays a round the corner sweep which just isn't right for the full ball from Deepti Sharam, who claims her 150th one-day international wicket with a straight one. Relief for India who weren't happy after that missed review.
England 69-0 (15 overs) - Jones 41, Beaumont 20
Theres an lbw appeal but surprisingly no review from India, as Tammy Beaumont steps out, swings and sees it flick the pad. Ball tracking shows the upstairs umpire would have given that. It was absolutely plum. Instead it's two more for England. Time for players and officials to have drinks.
England 66-0 (14 overs) - Jones 41, Beaumont 19
India don't seem rattled either, though, and presumably see this as a high scoring pitch so keeping England to mostly singles isn't a problem. Great fielding from Reunka keeps things from getting out of hand on the last ball of the over, the only one Beaumont is really able to get onto.
England 62-0 (13 overs) - Jones 39, Beaumont 17
Fearless batting by Amy Jones brings back-to-back boundaries off Charani, who perhaps pitched both of them up a little too eagerly to the 32 year-old. She's clearly very very in and happy as she heads towards her 50.
England 52-0 (12 overs) - Jones 30, Beaumont 16
Sneh Rana looking to interrupt the metronomic batting of England, being a bit less predictable with her length, and it seems to work. Just two coming from that over, but it didn't look as if a wicket was in the offing either.
England 50-0 (11 overs) - Jones 29, Beaumont 15
Time for some left-arm spin with Sree Charani, replacing Thakur. Six added in that over, each run off a ball of the six, bringing up the 50 partnership. That's the definition of going to plan.
England 44-0 (10 overs) - Jones 26, Beaumont 12
Last over of the power play begs the question of whether England have made the most of it. I think they probably have, with six boundaries. They can probably move into this next phase and score a bit more freely, with maybe a few more singles coming their way.
England 41-0 (9 overs) - Jones 25, Beaumont 10
The middle of the ninth over brings up the first review, as Thakur thinks she got Amy Jones on the inside of her front pad. No bat involved says ultra edge but ball tracking shows the ball was going down leg side and the umpire got it right. That ball moved a lot late, and since the wicketkeeper couldn't collect, England pick up two more. Another two come from a thick drive behind point. Steady start from both sides.
England 36-0 (8 overs) - Jones 22, Beaumont 10
First looks at spin with Sneh Rana, which ought to wake the fielders a bit. A good start from her as she only gives up a couple of singles. 300 still looking about right for England.
England 35-0 (7 overs) - Jones 22, Beaumont 9
Amy Jones bides her time, won't be tempted into anything rash, before laying her bat on the ball she likes. Renuka goes wide and short and Jones jabs it through the gap for another four.
England 31-0 (6 overs) - Jones 18, Beaumont 9
Good running and great calls from the pair in the middle brings two, who know they're going to have to shout above the volume of this crowd, who are still trickling in. The ground is not much more than half full so goodness knows how loud it'll be when it reaches capacity. Jones keeps the strike and then gives it up, before Tammy Beaumont grabs her first boundary with one that she sends wide of mid-on. That's what she needed.
England 24-0 (5 overs) - Jones 15, Beaumont 5
A better over from India, with both batters digging out what they can to keep the score ticking upwards. Nothing being given away by Harkur, bar a slightly over swung ball that gives up a wide.
England 21-0 (4 overs) - Jones 14, Beaumont 4
Great flick of the wrist from Amy Jones send the ball, eventually, to the boundary beyond square leg. Looks a bit slower in the outfield than we've been led to expect, at least in some parts of the field. She sees much more of the fifth ball of the over and cracks it wide of point for another boundary.
England 13-0 (3 overs) - Jones 6, Beaumont 4
Reunka largely bowling full and straight, keeping Amy Jones in her crease as she allowed Beaumont out of it. It makes it hard for her to be positive, and she's only able to get a decent bat onto one run in that over. A wide ball takes England to 13 for no loss. Good over that for the hosts but England haven't looked rattled, yet.
England 11-0 (2 overs) - Jones 5, Beaumont 4
Kranti Gaud into the attack at the other end. She's a young seamer, who tends to bowl straight and has picked up plenty of wickets early in her career. She sends her first few balls right up to the bat of Amy Jones but shows her too much with the fourth ball of the over, just a little bit wide and Jones has time to pick her spot, sending the ball to the boundary through cover and point.
England 6-0 (1 over) - Jones 0, Beaumont 4
Drama on the first ball of the match as Reunka is adamant Tammy Beaumont has edged it behind, but it wouldn't matter as the umpire signals a no-ball. She was over the line. Beaumont steps up immediately to the next ball and sends it for four through midwicket. A couple of dots and a wide sees out the over. India are really taking it to England but Beaumont has looked intrepid so far. Eventful start.
300 the magic number
That's what the experts are telling us is roughly where England need to get to in order to put the co-hosts under pressure. That doesn't mean they need to go big early, but does ask them to avoid losing any wickets cheaply. Keep their heads and the runs, you would think, should follow.
Teams
India Women: Smriti Mandhana, Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Richa Ghosh †, Amanjot Kaur, Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Shree Charani, Kranti Gaud, Renuka Singh
England Women: Tammy Beaumont, Amy Jones †, Heather Knight, Nat Sciver-Brunt (c), Sophia Dunkley, Emma Lamb, Alice Capsey, Charlie Dean, Sophie Ecclestone, Linsey Smith, Lauren Bell
The main changes are the return of Sophie Ecclestone and Lauren Bell after illness.
England win the toss
And Nat Sciver-Brunt says they're going to "have a bat first". "We're gong to be looking for some good partnerships and hopefully work well as a team out there" she tells Nasser Hussain. Harmanpreet says she would have chosen to bowl first. On a good pitch with a fast outfield, and especially with some lacklustre batting performances behind them, it's about asserting themselves, and a determination to put up a big score for England.
Relief for England in Colombo
That one didn't look to be going their way. As things washed up, England remained unbeaten with four matches played, third in the table behind Australia and South Africa. They need just one win from the remaining fixtures, but it's the harder matches that lie ahead.
Good morning!
Hello and welcome to live text coverage of England’s Women's Cricket World Cup match against India at the Holkar Stadium in Indore.
Despite being unbeaten so far, England begin the first of three difficult fixtures in the row against India. Victory will secure them a place in the next round, but the record of results between these teams tells you how difficult that could prove. The co-hosts have yet to really get going in this tournament, and despite sitting fourth in the table have lost their last two. Avoiding defeat is imperative for the home side.
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The ICC Women's World Cup trophy is displayed on a plinth prior to the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup India 2025 match between India and England at Holkar Cricket Stadium on October 19, 2025 in Indore, India.
Image credit: Getty Images
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