MUMBAI — In a heart-stopping encounter that lived up to its blockbuster billing, England edged past a valiant India by a mere four runs to secure their place in the semi-finals of the Women's World Cup, propelled by a masterful, career-defining century from their captain, Heather Knight.
Knight's Commanding Knock
On a sweltering day at the Brabourne Stadium, with the weight of a nation's expectations and a World Cup campaign on her shoulders, Knight produced one of the finest innings of her career. Walking to the crease with England in a precarious position at 29 for 2, she displayed immense composure and tactical brilliance. She carefully navigated the early threat of India's spinners before unleashing a calculated assault, finding the boundary with precision and power.
Her 107 from 109 balls was the bedrock of England's competitive total of 271 for 7. Knight forged crucial partnerships, first with Nat Sciver-Brunt (42) to steady the ship, and then a blistering 72-run stand with Amy Jones (39) that provided the late-innings impetus. Reflecting on her innings, Knight stated, "I knew I had to bat deep. It was one of those wickets where if you got in, you had to make it count."
India's Spirited Chase
India's reply began with explosive intent from their talismanic opener, Smriti Mandhana. Her elegant yet ferocious 68 from 57 balls, including 12 boundaries, gave the hosts a flying start and sent the packed home crowd into a frenzy. However, her dismissal, caught brilliantly in the deep off the bowling of Sophie Ecclestone, shifted the momentum. Wickets fell at regular intervals, but India always had a batter anchoring the chase.
The middle order, led by a gritty 58 from Deepti Sharma and a vital 47 from Richa Ghosh, kept India in the hunt, ensuring the required run rate never spiralled out of control. The game ebbed and flowed dramatically, with England's bowlers applying pressure and India's batters counter-punching. The tension in the stadium was palpable as the match hurtled towards a nail-biting conclusion.
The Final Over Agony
With 14 runs needed from the final six balls, the responsibility fell on the experienced shoulders of Kate Cross. India's last recognized batting pair, Pooja Vastrakar and Renuka Singh, were at the crease. Cross held her nerve magnificently, executing her yorkers and slower balls to perfection under extreme pressure.
The pivotal moment came on the fourth ball of the over. Vastrakar, attempting a desperate second run to keep the strike, was caught short by a direct hit from Sciver-Brunt from the deep. The dismissal effectively sealed the game for England, who managed to restrict India to 267 for 8, sparking wild celebrations among the English players.
Key Moments That Swung the Match
The margin was so fine that the outcome hinged on a handful of critical moments:
- Heather Knight's dropped chance on 82 by Harmanpreet Kaur at extra cover.
- Sophie Ecclestone's crucial 3-wicket haul, including the prize scalp of Smriti Mandhana.
- A game-changing 13-run 49th over from England that included two boundaries and shifted pressure back onto India.
- The run-out of Deepti Sharma in the 45th over, breaking a dangerous partnership with Richa Ghosh.
- Kate Cross's nerveless final over, conceding only 9 runs and taking a wicket.
Post-Match Reactions
A visibly emotional Heather Knight praised her team's fighting spirit in the post-match presentation. "I'm unbelievably proud of the team. We knew it was a must-win game and to do it in such a tight fashion, under that kind of pressure, is just incredible. The girls were outstanding in the field and with the ball at the death."
Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur was left to rue the missed opportunities. "It's a tough one to swallow. We fought till the very end, but in such close games, you have to grab your chances. Credit to Heather for the way she batted. We lost a few too many wickets in the middle overs which probably cost us."
Road to the Semi-Finals
With this thrilling victory, England confirmed their spot in the final four, joining Australia and South Africa. The win was a testament to their resilience, having bounced back strongly after a shaky start to the tournament. For India, the loss marked a heartbreaking exit on home soil, a campaign that promised much but fell agonizingly short at the final hurdle of the group stage.
The match will be remembered as an instant classic, a showcase of the very best of women's cricket. It had individual brilliance, high drama, and a finish that kept everyone on the edge of their seats until the very last ball, proving once again why cricket is a glorious game of fine margins.