Women’s World Cup: Diwali Eve Heartbreak as India Collapse in Chase, England March to Semis

Indore — On Diwali eve, Holkar Stadium was shining bright and full of hopes. 16,300 fans were ready to celebrate an Indian win. Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur looked all set to script history, taking India closer to their highest-ever successful chase with a solid 100+ stand for the third wicket.

With just 57 runs needed off 57 balls and seven wickets in hand, everything looked under control. The crowd was buzzing, victory seemed within reach — until things fell apart in classic heartbreak fashion.

First, Harmanpreet departed. Then Smriti followed. Soon after, Deepti Sharma, right after completing her fifty, also got out. And just like that, India’s old problem of nerves in crunch moments returned. The dream turned into despair as India fell four runs short, finishing at 284/6. When Amanjot Kaur’s last-ball boundary crossed the rope, fireworks went off — but for England’s win, not India’s.

With this, England sealed their semi-final spot, joining Australia and South Africa. For India, it’s now three straight losses, putting their World Cup hopes on the edge. Their next match against New Zealand on Thursday is now a must-win — there’s no room for mistakes.

What was supposed to be a festive night in Indore ended in silence, disappointment, and the same old feeling — so close, yet so far. Whether it was the failure to finish with the ball against South Africa or the bat against Australia, the same story repeated — this time against England.

England’s Innings

The foundation of England’s total was built by Heather Knight, who marked her 300th international match with a brilliant 109 featuring 15 fours and a six. She and Nat Sciver-Brunt stitched a 113-run partnership that looked set to take England past 300.

However, a mini-collapse saw them lose five wickets for 42 runs, ending at 288/8. It seemed like that could cost them — especially since India had gone with an extra bowler, dropping Jemimah Rodrigues for Renuka Singh Thakur.

India’s Chase

Smriti began slowly, while Harmanpreet looked fluent from the start, clipping three boundaries through the leg side. Smriti found rhythm with a couple of fours off Charlie Dean. Against the dangerous Sophie Ecclestone, Harmanpreet was positive — driving and lofting confidently, while Smriti cut and flayed with ease.

Both reached their fifties — Smriti in 60 balls and Harmanpreet in 54 — keeping India steady and the crowd on its feet. But once Harmanpreet was caught at short third man off Nat, England sensed an opening.

Smriti continued beautifully but fell 12 short of a century, trying to loft Linsey Smith and getting caught at long-off. Deepti kept India alive, sweeping and flicking for boundaries to reach her own fifty in 55 balls.

Just when India seemed back in control, Richa Ghosh chipped one to extra cover and Deepti top-edged a slog sweep — both gone in quick succession. With 23 needed off 12, Sneh Rana found a boundary through midwicket, and Amanjot Kaur struck one on the final ball — but it was too late.

England’s Bowling

Earlier, despite swing, Renuka couldn’t find wickets, and Kranti Gaud struggled with her lengths. That allowed Amy Jones to free her arms and score freely. After Deepti removed Tammy Beaumont for 26 (breaking the 73-run opening stand), Amy went on to score 56 before falling to Deepti again.

Heather Knight then took charge, sweeping and reverse-sweeping brilliantly to reach her century off 86 balls. She survived a dropped catch from Deepti on 91 and made India pay before being run out for 109.

India fought back late — Charani and Deepti picked up key wickets, including Dunkley, Capsey, and Lamb, restricting England to under 300. But in the end, 288 proved just enough.

Brief Scores:

England 288/8 (Heather Knight 109, Amy Jones 56; Deepti Sharma 4–51, N Shree Charani 2–68)
India 284/6 (Smriti Mandhana 88, Harmanpreet Kaur 70; Nat Sciver-Brunt 2–47, Linsey Smith 1–40)

Result: England won by 4 runs

With inputs from IANS