Four-time champions England secured their spot in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 semi-finals with a nail-biting four-run victory over hosts India in Indore on Sunday, in what proved to be the tournament’s most thrilling encounter to date. Heather Knight’s magnificent century and nerveless death bowling combined to help England defend 288 despite India seemingly having the chase under control for extended periods.
Knight’s Milestone Century on 300th Appearance
Heather Knight marked her 300th international appearance with a masterful 109 off 91 balls, becoming only the eighth women’s cricketer to reach this remarkable milestone. Her sweep-laden innings, studded with 15 fours and one six, underpinned England’s competitive total of 288/8 and earned her Player of the Match honors.
“I am really pleased,” Knight said after the match. “I’ve had a pretty rubbish year, not going to lie before this World Cup. I was really keen to try and make the most of it and try and enjoy just being here because obviously it was pretty tight to make it here.”
The 34-year-old’s third ODI century came at a crucial moment, demonstrating her class and temperament under pressure. Knight’s powerful sweep shots proved particularly effective, with the right-hander using this stroke to devastating effect against India’s spinners.
England’s Batting Performance and Late Collapse
England’s openers Amy Jones (56) and Tammy Beaumont (22) provided a solid foundation with a 73-run opening partnership before Deepti Sharma struck twice to remove both openers. Jones’ 62-ball fifty represented her 15th ODI half-century before she chipped tamely to mid-on.
Knight and captain Nat Sciver-Brunt (38) rebuilt from 98-2, adding a crucial 113-run partnership for the third wicket that steered England’s innings toward a competitive total. The pair had started to accelerate when Sciver-Brunt was well caught by Harmanpreet Kaur in the covers.
However, Knight’s run-out attempting a second run triggered a late collapse, as England conceded only 74 runs in the final 10 overs while losing five wickets. Deepti Sharma was the pick of India’s bowlers, finishing with career-best World Cup figures of 4/51 to become only the second Indian bowler to claim 150 wickets in women’s ODIs after Jhulan Goswami.
India’s Strong Chase Built on Key Partnerships
India looked to be cruising toward victory after reaching 234/3 in the 42nd over, needing just 55 runs from 53 balls. This healthy position was built on a 125-run partnership between Smriti Mandhana (88) and captain Harmanpreet Kaur (70) that appeared to have put the hosts firmly in control.
Mandhana showcased her trademark elegance and timing with a fluent 88 off 94 balls, anchoring India’s chase with eight boundaries. Harmanpreet Kaur’s run-a-ball 70, laced with 10 boundaries, provided the perfect complement as India rotated strike effectively while finding the boundary regularly.
Following Harmanpreet’s dismissal, Mandhana and Deepti Sharma added 67 runs off 66 balls to keep India ahead of the required rate. With six wickets remaining and just 36 runs needed from 30 balls, India appeared destined for victory.
Dramatic England Comeback in Death Overs
The tide turned dramatically when Mandhana danced down the track to left-arm spinner Linsey Smith but failed to clear long-off, falling for 88 with 55 runs still needed from 52 balls. Her dismissal triggered immediate panic as scoreboard pressure mounted and dot balls accumulated.
“Smriti’s wicket was the turning point for us,” lamented India captain Harmanpreet Kaur afterward. “Not sure how we lost this game. We had it in the bag. We’ve worked so hard and when the last five overs slip away from you, it’s heartbreaking.”
Deepti Sharma reached her half-century but perished trying to accelerate against Sophie Ecclestone, slog-sweeping straight to deep midwicket with just three overs remaining. Richa Ghosh departed shortly after, leaving India needing 23 runs from the final two overs with lower-order batsmen at the crease.
Lauren Bell conceded just nine runs from the penultimate over despite Sneh Rana hitting a boundary off the first ball. This left Linsey Smith with 13 runs to defend from the final over, which she achieved brilliantly by conceding only nine runs, with India managing just five from the first five balls.
Semi-Final Qualification Secured
England held their nerve to edge past India by four runs, preserving their unbeaten record at the Women’s World Cup 2025 and becoming the third team to reach the semi-finals alongside South Africa and Australia. The victory moves England to nine points from five matches, level with defending champions Australia and separated only by net run rate.
“So, so happy,” said Nat Sciver-Brunt. “Everyone just showed how calm they were, really clear in what they had to do. In the bowling innings, we had to stick in. A partnership obviously happened with Harman and Smriti and they looked like they were going to chase it easy.”
India’s Qualification Hopes Hanging by Thread
This defeat represents India’s third consecutive loss in the tournament, leaving their semi-final qualification hanging by a thread. The hosts had started the World Cup strongly with victories against Sri Lanka and Pakistan but have now lost close matches against South Africa, Australia, and England.
India remain on four points from five matches and face a must-win situation in their remaining encounters. Their next match against New Zealand on Thursday has effectively become a virtual knockout, with both teams locked on four points.
“It’s been the last three games where we showed up with good cricket, but ended up on the losing side,” Harmanpreet reflected. “Next game is very important. Our bowlers did a really good job, but the last five overs, we have to rethink.”
Historical Context and Tournament Records
The match produced several notable records and milestones. India crossed 250 in a World Cup run-chase for the first time, surpassing their previous best of 240/9 against England in 2013. This also represented India’s second-highest World Cup total without an individual century.
The contest was the second-highest scoring women’s ODI to be won by a single-figure margin, highlighting the extraordinary drama and tension that characterized the final overs.
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Looking Ahead
England’s remaining group games are against Australia in Indore on Wednesday and New Zealand in Vizag next Sunday. Regardless of those results, they can look forward to the semi-finals as they target a fifth World Cup title and second overseas triumph after 2009.
For India, the pressure intensifies dramatically. They must defeat New Zealand to control their own destiny, followed by victory against Bangladesh to almost guarantee a top-four finish. The home World Cup that promised so much now threatens to end in heartbreaking early elimination unless the hosts can rediscover their winning formula quickly.
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