India captain Harmanpreet Kaur stated that her deputy Smriti Mandhana’s wicket turned the tide of their four-run loss to England in a Girls’s ODI World Cup 2025 league stage fixture on the Holkar Stadium in Indore on Sunday.
The Girls in Blue needed to pull off their highest-ever profitable chase in ODIs to get a win over the road however they fell agonisingly quick.
Chasing 289 and after shedding two wickets within the PowerPlay, India’s innings was steadied by a 125-run stand for the third wicket between Smriti and Harmanpreet. Whereas the latter departed for 70 in thirty first over, the previous was despatched again for 88 within the forty second over.
“Smriti’s wicket was the turning level for us. We nonetheless had batters, however I don’t know the way issues went the opposite means. Credit score to England, it didn’t lose hope and saved bowling and getting wickets. It’s a foul feeling when you have got put a lot arduous work in however the final five-six overs didn’t go in accordance with the plan. It’s a heartbreaking second,” Harmanpreet stated after the match.
AS IT HAPPENED | India vs England highlights
After this loss — India’s third consecutive defeat within the ongoing match — the host’s semifinal probabilities had been dealt a heavy blow.
“We’re taking part in good cricket, we’re not giving up, however we have now to cross the road. Within the final three video games, we confirmed up with good cricket, however ended up on shedding aspect. Our bowlers did a extremely good job, as a result of when Heather [Knight] was batting, England was wanting excellent. We did lots proper, however we should rethink about what occurred in these final 5 overs,” the batter added.
India subsequent faces New Zealand in a must-win fixture on October 23 in Navi Mumbai. :Subsequent sport [against New Zealand] is essential,” Harmanpreet concluded.
If the Girls in Blue lose towards the White Ferns, then they should win their remaining league stage fixture towards Bangladesh and hope that different fixtures go of their favour.
Printed on Oct 19, 2025