India‘s hopes for the semi-finals in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 suffered a huge blow just like them fell short by just four points against England at the Holkar Stadium, Indore. Chasing a competitive 288, India looked to be in charge at 234/3, anchored by opener Smriti Mandhana on 88, and looked set for a thrilling win in front of a roaring home crowd. However, a single mistake proved costly as Mandhana’s soft dismissal from spinner Linsey Smith completely shifted momentum.
Despite this, the Indian middle order struggled to consolidate thereafter Deepti Sharma‘s resilient half-century, when pressure mounted and the run-rate rose alarmingly. England, on the back of a masterful century from Heather Knighthad set a total that ultimately proved just enough to withstand India’s pushback.
Women’s World Cup 2025: Heather Knight’s class and England’s tactical mastery
Knight was the undisputed architect of England’s competitive total, creating a brilliant century from 86 balls to anchor the innings after a cautious start. England had carefully navigated the powerplay to reach 44-0, with former captain Knight and Nat Sciver-Brunt later combined for a crucial partnership of 113 runs for the third wicket. Knight’s innings was a mix of elegance and aggression, with 15 fours and a six, and showcased her remarkable ability to manipulate the field, rotate the strike and punish loose deliveries. The openers, Tammy Beaumont And Amy Jonesprovided an initial platform despite Beaumont’s modest 22, allowing Knight and Sciver-Brunt to accelerate and set a challenging target.
However, England also experienced a wobble in the late overs, losing three wickets for just eight runs, including quick dismissals from Sophia Dunkley, Emma Lamb And Alice Kapseywhich added drama and tension to the match. Knight’s run-out, chasing quick runs, highlighted the risky decisions required at the death, but her innings had already established England’s dominant position. Under coach Charlotte EdwardsEngland’s more conventional game plan, which prioritized preserving wickets and partnerships over sheer aggression, was executed flawlessly, providing the blueprint for future encounters and proving invaluable against a world-class Indian line-up.
Women’s World Cup 2025: India’s middle class collapse and missed opportunities
India’s chase was a story of promise cut short, while Smriti Mandhana also provided a sublime platform Harmanpreet Kaur in a fluid partnership of 125 runs, with the crowd expecting a stunning turnaround. Mandhana looked set for a match-defining century, her timing and placement almost flawless, but a loss of concentration in the 42nd over, hit on the ground by spinner Linsey Smith, proved crucial.
After her dismissal, India’s middle order was reeling under increasing pressure, and despite it Deepti Sharma‘s gritty 50, the team failed to maintain momentum. With just 14 needed for the final, nerves and pressure combined against India, and Smith’s composure sealed England’s narrow victory. The game exposed India’s recurring problem of converting promising starts into match-winning totals and highlighted the reliance on their top order to perform under high pressure. For India, lessons in composure, running between the wickets and mid-range resilience will be crucial if they are to stay in contention for the semi-finals, especially as they face formidable opponents in the remaining group matches.
💔 Heartbreak for India!
India were cruising at one point but lost momentum and ultimately fell four runs short against England in a tense finish. 🏏
Scorecard: https://t.co/gsSf6oZkbU#CWC25 #womenworldcup2025 #INDWvENGW #cricket #INVENG pic.twitter.com/1dugQLg33v
— WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ) October 19, 2025
READ also: Women’s World Cup 2025: Fans troll India’s Harleen Deol as her batting woes against England continue
Here’s how fans reacted:
This is a real heartbreak 💔 #IndvEng #WWC25
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) October 19, 2025
India had the game, and possibly qualification, within their grasp. England searched for answers. This will hurt a lot. #IndvsEng. #ICCWomensWorldCup2025
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) October 19, 2025
Since Mithali Raj retired, India has rarely had chases of more than 250 people
They really miss that calm player who can’t stay out in pressure situations and close out games#CWC25 #INVENG
— Mohit Shah (@mohit_shah17) October 19, 2025
India 🇮🇳 women’s cricket team is the biggest choker in women’s cricket 🏏
By the way, congratulations to Team England 🏴ԠԠԠԠԠԠ for qualifying for the semi-finals of the 2025 World Cup 👏🏻#INDWvsENGW pic.twitter.com/zMHI4DMUxt
— Richard Kettleborough (@RichKettle07) October 19, 2025
England didn’t win it, India donated it 😶 Classic choke at the end!#INDWvsENGW #WomensWorldCup2025 pic.twitter.com/BHxjMRcU5m
— Sarcasm (@sarcastic_us) October 19, 2025
🚨🚨That’s Harleen Deol for you.
She’s on the team because of friendship quotas. Her only achievement is the catch she took against England a few years ago.
It is very sad that India has started investing in below average players #INDWvsENGW #INVENG pic.twitter.com/XKLKEVFyHA— Hitting wickets (@offpacedelivery) October 19, 2025
Indian women’s cricket team
Salary they receive Performance#WorldCup #INDWvsENGW
pic.twitter.com/NvKwNcmfPn
— The last dance (@26lastdance) October 19, 2025
They smothered a cakewalk. @BCCIWomen 😡🤡 #INVENG pic.twitter.com/ISheUBGpyd
— The GK 🕸️ (@JusttKriSH) October 19, 2025
You can’t lose that match and expect to win the World Cup. Stunning defeat for the Women in Blue. No one took responsibility to finish it! #CWC25 #IndvEng
— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) October 19, 2025
This isn’t another case we took to investigate the game in depth. India suffocated badly after Smriti fell on an unnecessary shot. #INVENG
– Snake. Momance | s diya ben. No. Reply Will Teacher’s Wasphaphymn’s Wifun October 19, 2025
SEE ALSO: IND-W vs ENG-W: Deepti Sharma celebrates 150th ODI wicket with dismissal of Tammy Beaumont during 2025 Women’s World Cup
This article was first published on WomenCricket.coma Cricket Times company.
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