Harmanpreet’s Women Outshine the Men: India Clinch 1st ODI in England With Gritty Chase
Southampton: On Monday, after Ravindra Jadeja, Jaspreet Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj’s valiant fight India’s men’s team faltered on the final day of the Lord’s Test, their female counterparts continued to shine on English soil. After sealing the T20I series 3-2, the Indian women began the ODI leg in dominant fashion, registering a 6-wicket victory in the first match of the series.
What made this win even more significant is that it marks India’s fourth consecutive ODI win in England — having swept the 2022 series 3-0 and now adding another to the tally in 2025.
Chasing a challenging target of 259, India looked in trouble at 124/4, but Deepti Sharma (62* off 64 balls, 1 six, 3 fours) and Jemimah Rodrigues (48 off 54) stitched together a match-winning 90-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Deepti then anchored the chase till the end, forging crucial late partnerships with Richa Ghosh (10 off 12) and Amanjot Kaur (20* off 14) to seal the win with 10 balls to spare. India finished at 262/6 in 48.2 overs.
Among India’s top order, there were useful contributions from Pratika Rawal (26), Smriti Mandhana (28), Harleen Deol (27) and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (17).
🚨 Milestone Alert 🚨
— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) July 16, 2025
Congratulations to vice-captain Smriti Mandhana on completing 4500 runs in ODIs 👏
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Earlier, England had posted a competitive total of 258/8 in 50 overs, powered by Sophia Dunkley’s 83 and a half-century by Alice Davidson-Richards (53). For India, Kranti Gaud and Sneha Rana took two wickets apiece, keeping England from running away with a bigger total.
Summary:
The Indian women’s team, under Harmanpreet Kaur’s leadership, has once again proven its mettle overseas. Their ability to chase under pressure, aided by strong middle-order performances and calculated finishing, highlights the depth and resilience of the squad. With this win, they’ve taken a 1–0 lead in the ODI series and reinforced their growing stature in international women’s cricket.