England Edges India in Thriller to Reach Women’s World Cup Semis

England women’s cricket team has booked their ticket to the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 semi-finals after a nail-biting four-run victory against hosts India at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore. Batting first after winning the toss, England posted a competitive 288 for 8, setting a challenging target for the Indian side. The English bowlers then executed their plans effectively, securing regular wickets and ultimately thwarting India’s chase. With this result, England joins South Africa and Australia as the third team to confirm their semi-final spot. This loss unfortunately ends India’s campaign in the tournament, marking their third consecutive defeat. Despite the disappointment, India showcased a commendable batting performance. Smriti Mandhana was the star performer, crafting a superb 88. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur (70) and Deepti Sharma (50) also played crucial roles, building partnerships that kept India’s hopes alive. Nevertheless, England’s bowling attack proved superior, making crucial breakthroughs at opportune times. They successfully dismantled key collaborations and tightened the scoring, escalating the required rate for India as the match neared its conclusion. Natalie Sciver-Brunt was the standout bowler, taking 2 wickets for 47 runs. Linsey Smith, Charlie Dean, Sophie Ecclestone, and Lauren Bell each contributed a wicket to seal the important win.