The Indian women’s cricket team started their ODI series in style, defeating England by 4 wickets in the first One Day International at the Utilise Bowl. With this win, India takes a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Chasing a target of 259, India kept their nerves and crossed the line with 10 balls to spare, thanks to a brilliant unbeaten knock by Deepti Sharma and a cool finish from Amanjot Kaur.
England’s Competitive Total
Winning the toss, England opted to bat first and posted a challenging 258/6 off their 50 overs. Birthday girl Sophia Dunkley starred with 83 off 92 balls, while Alice Davidson-Richards chipped in with 53 from 73—forming a pivotal 106-run partnership that resurrected the innings after early wickets.
Despite the strong middle order, England’s bowlers—especially spinner Sneh Rana (2/31) and pacer Kranti Goud (2/55)—kept them in check through tight spells. A late wicket by Amanjot Kaur saw Dunkley dismissed on the final ball.
India’s Composed Chase
Chasing 259, India got off to a cautious start. After a modest Powerplay, skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (17) and Jemimah Rodrigues (48) laid the foundation. However, the real game-changer was Deepti Sharma, whose unbeaten 62 off 64 balls anchored the chase perfectly.
In the final overs, Amanjot Kaur sealed the win with back-to-back fours off Kate Cross, delivering a nerve-wrecking finish and wrapping up the match with ten balls to spare.
Match Highlights at a Glance
| 🏏 Match | 1st ODI – England Women vs India Women |
|---|---|
| Venue | Utilita Bowl, Southampton |
| England Score | 258/6 (50 overs) – Dunkley 83, Davidson-Richards 53 |
| India Score | 262/6 (48.2 overs) – Deepti 62*, Jemimah 48 |
| Result | India won by 4 wickets |
| Player of the Match | Deepti Sharma (India) |
Star Performers
| 🇮🇳 India | 🇬🇧 England |
|---|---|
| Deepti Sharma – 62* | Sophia Dunkley – 83 |
| Jemimah Rodrigues – 48 | Davidson-Richards – 53 |
| Sneh Rana – 2/31 | Sophie Ecclestone – 2/42 |
What This Means for the Series
- India’s momentum continues: This marks their fifth straight ODI win in England, highlighting a dominant run and putting pressure on England early in the series.
- England’s uphill task: With necessity to win the next match at Lord’s, England cannot afford another slip-up at home.
- Series plan: The second ODI is scheduled for 19 July at Lord’s, followed by the decider on 22 July in Chester-Le-Street.
Upcoming Fixture Schedule
- 2nd ODI: Saturday, 19 July – Lord’s
- 3rd ODI: Tuesday, 22 July – Chester-le-Street
Both matches carry high stakes as India look to seal the series while England aim for a comeback.
ndia showed great character and composure in a tense chase. With their bowling clicking and the middle order firing, the team looks solid and ready for bigger challenges. England, though promising, will need a stronger all-round effort to stay alive in the series.
Stay tuned for the 2nd ODI — it’s going to be a cracker!
