LONDON — England delivered a dominant performance to thrash India by eight wickets in a rain-affected second ODI at Lord's, leveling the three-match series and setting up a thrilling decider. Left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone starred with figures of 3-27, dismantling India's middle order as the visitors collapsed to 121 all out in 30.1 overs.
Ecclestone's Masterclass Derails India
England's bowling attack, led by the world's top-ranked ODI bowler, proved too much for India's batters on a tricky Lord's surface. Ecclestone's three-wicket haul included the crucial dismissals of Harmanpreet Kaur (19) and Richa Ghosh (4), both caught attempting aggressive shots against the turn. "I just tried to stick to my strengths and let the pitch do the work," Ecclestone said post-match.
India's innings never gained momentum after being put in to bat, with only opener Smriti Mandhana showing resistance with a patient 32. England's seamers capitalized on the overcast conditions early before Ecclestone took control:
- Kate Cross (2-24) removed both openers in the powerplay
- Charlie Dean (2-17) claimed two wickets in her first three overs
- India lost 7 wickets for just 38 runs between overs 15-25
England's Clinical Chase
A rain delay reduced England's target to 119 from 29 overs via DLS, which they reached with 91 balls to spare. Openers Tammy Beaumont (33*) and Emma Lamb (27) put on 61 for the first wicket, while Alice Capsey's unbeaten 35 off just 26 balls sealed the comprehensive victory.
"We knew we had to be aggressive after the rain break," Capsey told Sky Sports. "The bowlers set it up perfectly, so we could play with freedom."
Turning Point: The Ecclestone Over
The 18th over of India's innings proved decisive when Ecclestone removed both set batters - Harmanpreet and Jemimah Rodrigues (23) - in the space of three deliveries. The collapse began from there, with India losing their last six wickets for just 22 runs.
Series Hangs in Balance
With the series now level at 1-1, both teams head to Bristol for Sunday's finale. India had won the first ODI by seven wickets, but England's response has set up what promises to be a gripping conclusion to the multi-format series.
England captain Heather Knight praised her team's intensity: "After the first game, we knew we had to raise our standards. The way we fielded today showed how much this meant to the group. Now it's about carrying this momentum into the decider."
Key Statistics
The match produced several notable milestones and records:
- Ecclestone became the fastest England bowler to 100 ODI wickets (64 matches)
- India's 121 is their lowest ODI total against England since 2014
- England have now won their last six ODIs at Lord's
- The match finished with 19.1 overs unused due to England's dominance
Looking Ahead to the Decider
With the series on the line, both teams face selection dilemmas. India may consider recalling veteran Deepti Sharma to bolster their spin attack, while England could stick with their winning combination. The weather forecast for Bristol suggests another rain-affected match is possible.
India captain Harmanpreet remained optimistic despite the heavy defeat: "We didn't adapt well today, but we've shown we can beat this England team. The decider will be about who handles the pressure better."
The third ODI at Bristol's County Ground on Sunday promises high drama, with England seeking to complete their comeback and India aiming to secure their first ODI series win in England since 1999.