In a stunning turnaround, England women's cricket team pulled off a record-breaking chase against India in the third ODI, leveling the series 1-1. Chasing a mammoth 343, England rode on brilliant centuries from Alice Capsey and Heather Knight to reach the target with three wickets and seven balls to spare at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
India's Strong Start
Batting first, India posted a formidable total of 342 for 5 in their 50 overs. Opener Smriti Mandhana continued her rich form, smashing 105 off 109 balls, her second consecutive century in the series. She was well supported by Jemimah Rodrigues, who scored 86 off 76 balls, and captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who contributed a quickfire 57 off 42 balls. The Indian innings was built on solid partnerships, with Mandhana and Rodrigues adding 142 runs for the second wicket.
England's Record Chase
In reply, England got off to a shaky start, losing opener Tammy Beaumont early for 12. However, Alice Capsey and Heather Knight then stitched together a match-defining partnership of 152 runs for the third wicket. Capsey, playing her first series in India, played a mature innings of 129 off 118 balls, hitting 14 boundaries and three sixes. Knight, the England captain, scored a gritty 112 off 124 balls, anchoring the chase with composure.
Even after Capsey's dismissal, Knight continued to lead from the front, and with contributions from Nat Sciver-Brunt (35) and Danielle Wyatt (28), England kept up with the required rate. In the end, it was left to the lower order to finish the job, with Sophie Ecclestone hitting the winning runs with a boundary in the 49th over.
Key Moments
- Mandhana's second century: The Indian opener continued her prolific run, becoming the first Indian woman to score centuries in three consecutive ODIs.
- Capsey's maiden ODI ton: The 21-year-old all-rounder announced her arrival on the big stage with a brilliant knock under pressure.
- Knight's captain's knock: The England skipper played a responsible innings, holding the chase together and guiding her team home.
Series Leveled
With this win, England squared the three-match series 1-1, setting up a thrilling decider in the final ODI. India, who had won the first match by a comfortable margin, will be ruing the missed opportunity to seal the series. The match also saw the highest successful run chase in women's ODIs, surpassing the previous record of 329 set by Australia against New Zealand in 2021.
Both teams will now head to the final match with everything to play for, as they look to gain momentum ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup.
