India Clinches ODI Series with Thrilling Victory Over England

India Secures Series Win Against England

Durham [UK], July 23: In a nail-biting finish, India triumphed over England by 13 runs in the third ODI at Riverside Ground, Chester-Le-Street, securing the series 2-1.

CC's impressive six-wicket haul marked a significant achievement for Goud, who became the second youngest Indian to claim a five-wicket haul in ODIs, following Deepti Sharma. Goud accomplished this feat in just her fourth ODI, with only Purnima Choudhary achieving a similar milestone on her debut.

England's chase of a daunting target of 319 began poorly, losing two wickets within the first two overs. Goud dismissed both openers for scores of 4 and 2. However, Emma Lamb and captain Nat Sciver-Brunt mounted a strong counterattack, forming a 162-run partnership for the third wicket.

Both players contributed vital fifties, but Shree Charani broke the partnership in the 31st over by dismissing Lamb for 68 off 81 balls, which was crucial for India.

Sciver-Brunt fell just short of a century, scoring 98 off 105 balls, including 11 boundaries, before Deepti Sharma claimed her wicket in the 35th over. Alice Davidson Richards attempted to accelerate the scoring with a fighting 44 off 34 balls before Goud struck again in the 48th over.

Goud sealed the victory for India by taking out Lauren Bell in the final over, finishing with remarkable figures of 6/52.

Earlier in the match, Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur's stellar century propelled India to a total of 318/5. Richa Ghosh also made a significant contribution, scoring 38 off just 18 balls, helping India surpass the 300-run mark.

To win the series, England needed 319 runs. Kaur's explosive batting not only led her team but also marked her achievement of 4000 ODI runs, making her the third Indian woman to reach this milestone, following Smriti Mandhana and the legendary Mithali Raj.

India won the toss and chose to bat first in this decisive match, with the series tied at 1-1. Pratika Rawal and Smriti Mandhana opened the innings, adding 64 runs before Rawal was dismissed for 26 in the 13th over by Charlie Dean.

Mandhana followed soon after, scoring 45 in the 18th over, which included five fours, paving the way for Kaur to join Harleen Deol at the crease.

Kaur and Deol built a solid partnership of 81 runs for the fourth wicket before Deol was dismissed by Lauren Bell for 45 off 65 balls. Jemimah Rodrigues then joined Kaur, and together they added 110 runs for the fifth wicket before Rodrigues was out for 50 off 45 balls in the 46th over.

Kaur was eventually dismissed for a brilliant 102 off 84 balls, featuring 14 fours, marking her seventh ODI century and the second-fastest hundred by an Indian woman in ODIs. This match also marked India's eighth score of over 300 runs since January 2024.

All England bowlers managed to take a wicket, with Sophie Ecclestone being the standout performer.