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<p data-start="41" data-end="339"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">England pulled off a dramatic four-run win against India to book their place in the semifinals of the <span class="text-token-text-primary font-semibold">ICC Women's Cricket World Cup</span>, dealing a major blow to the hosts&rsquo; campaign. The narrow loss left India in a tense race for the final semifinal spot with just two group matches remaining.</span></p>
<p data-start="341" data-end="725"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Chasing 289 for victory at the <span class="text-token-text-primary font-semibold">Holkar Stadium</span>, India fell agonizingly short at 284-5 in their 50 overs despite being in control for most of the innings. Opener Smriti Mandhana&rsquo;s elegant 88 and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur&rsquo;s fluent 70 had positioned India as strong favourites, but England&rsquo;s bowlers tightened their grip in the death overs to snatch the game away.</span></p>
<p data-start="727" data-end="1006"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">For England, Nat Sciver-Brunt picked up 2-47 and left-arm spinner Linsey Smith&rsquo;s miserly spell of 1-40 included Mandhana&rsquo;s crucial wicket. Their disciplined bowling ensured England&rsquo;s fourth win in five games and a confirmed semifinal berth alongside Australia and South Africa.</span></p>
<p data-start="1008" data-end="1667"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">India&rsquo;s chase began on a shaky note with Pratika Rawal and Harleen Deol dismissed early. Mandhana and Kaur then steadied the innings with a 125-run partnership for the third wicket, putting India in control. Deepti Sharma added 50 off 57 balls, building a 67-run stand with Mandhana. At that point India needed just 62 runs from 60 balls. But the match turned in the 42nd over when Mandhana was caught on the boundary off Smith&rsquo;s bowling. India lost momentum quickly, sliding from 234-3 to 262-6 within 33 balls. England&rsquo;s bowlers held their nerve, and despite a late effort from Amanjot Kaur (18*) and Sneh Rana (10*), India couldn&rsquo;t cross the finish line.</span></p>
<p data-start="1669" data-end="2254"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Earlier, England chose to bat and posted 288-8 thanks to a sparkling century from skipper <span class="text-token-text-primary font-semibold">Heather Knight</span>. She struck 109 off 91 balls, her third ODI hundred, in her 300th international appearance. Knight shared a crucial 113-run third-wicket partnership with Sciver-Brunt (38), after openers Tammy Beaumont (22) and Amy Jones (56) had laid a solid foundation. India&rsquo;s Deepti Sharma starred with the ball, returning figures of 4-51, triggering a late collapse as England lost five wickets for 31 runs in just over five overs. But their total proved just enough.</span></p>
<p data-start="2256" data-end="2878" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node=""><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">This was India&rsquo;s third consecutive defeat following losses to Australia and South Africa. The team remains in fourth place with four points and must win its remaining matches against New Zealand and Bangladesh to stay in contention for the semifinals. &ldquo;Smriti&rsquo;s wicket was the turning point,&rdquo; Harmanpreet Kaur admitted after the match. &ldquo;We had the batting to finish the game, but England bowled with discipline. Credit to them for holding their nerve.&rdquo; England will face defending champions Australia in their final group-stage clash on Wednesday, riding high after a statement win that underlined their title credentials.</span></p>
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England seal semifinal spot after edging India by four runs in a gripping World Cup clash

England beat India by 4 runs in thriller

England seal semifinal spot after edging India by four runs in a gripping World Cup clash

October 20, 2025 | 14:32 IST