India suffer an heartbreaking loss against England

The Holkar Stadium in Indore turned into a colosseum for a titanic battle between India and England After looking in absolute control of the match, the Indian women suffered a nerve wracking slide to fall agonizingly short of the target. India made 284 for six chasing 289 for the victory.​

The English enjoyed a measured start, with their openers Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones working their way to 73 in the 16th over, powered mainly by the latter. Jones made 56 runs in 68 balls. But with the two women departing within five overs of each other, it fell upon Heather Knight to steer her team ahead in this important clash. She did just that with aplomb. Under pressure to give the innings a measure of substance, the veteran stoked it with a fiery 109 in 91 balls. Her innings contained 15 fours and a solitary six. This was her 300th international appearance for England, and victory must taste even better, for carrying the team not only to victory, but also into the semifinals of the World Cup.

England was cruising, 211 for 2 in the 39th over and 249 for 3 in the 45th over. But the Indian bowlers led by Deepti Sharma (4-51) and some alert fielding helped rein in the English to 288 for 8. Shree Charani was expensive, but chipped in two important wickets, getting rid of Nat Sciver-Brunt and Sophia Dunkley.

Chasing 289 for victory, India courted trouble early in the chase. They mustered just 42 runs at the expense of two wickets by the end of the tenth over. The required rate had already climbed over six. Smriti Mandhana anchored India’s innings with a fluent 88 off 94 balls, showing her class with a blend of elegant strokeplay and composure. In the company of Harmanpreet Kaur first and Deepti Sharma later, Mandhana shepherded the Indians to 234 by the time she departed in the 42nd over. Kaur made 70 in as many balls and Sharma made an even 50 in 57 balls to put India within touching distance at Indore.​

The Holkar Stadium turned into a theatre in the final over of the match. Linsey Smith was already a massive influence on the game, conceding just 31 runs off her first nine overs. India needed 14 off 6. Smith kept it tight, just three runs came off her first four balls. Amanjot, playing desperately hard, swung two off the penultimate ball. And a four off the final delivery, but it was all she could.

England are securely through to the semis. India is left with everything to do. They need to win all their matches from here and potentially hope for a favourable net run rate equation to keep their hopes alive for a World Cup at home.

Heather Knight - Photo by Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images