India’s women’s cricket team, under the leadership of Harmanpreet Kaur, has struck a powerful chord ahead of the upcoming ODI World Cup with a thrilling series win against England. In a high-stakes final ODI at Chester-le-Street, India posted a commanding total of 318 for 5 — their second-highest score in England — and sealed the match by 13 runs, showcasing form, grit, and depth.
Harmanpreet Breaks the Silence with a Statement Century
After facing ten dot balls, skipper Harmanpreet Kaur finally got off the mark with a graceful cover drive that signaled a shift in momentum. What followed was a composed yet explosive innings of 102 runs from 82 balls — her seventh ODI century and her first 50+ score in over a dozen innings.
“I kept telling myself to stay in the moment and not give up,” said Harmanpreet. “Today’s game meant a lot to us, and the plan was simple — spend time in the middle and then build on it.”
This century also took her past the 4000-run milestone in women’s ODIs, making her only the third Indian to achieve the feat.
Team Effort Shines Through
India’s innings was a display of balance and intent. Jemimah Rodrigues supported her captain with a steady 50, sharing a crucial 110-run partnership. Smriti Mandhana and Harleen Deol added valuable contributions with 45 runs each, while Richa Ghosh provided the finishing spark, scoring 38 off just 18 balls.
Kranti Goud Steals the Bowling Spotlight
The real surprise package was 21-year-old seamer Kranti Goud, who delivered a match-winning spell of 6 for 52 in just her fifth international appearance. Her performance made her the second-youngest Indian woman to claim a five-wicket haul in ODIs, following Deepti Sharma.
“Whenever we needed a breakthrough, she delivered,” Harmanpreet praised. “She’s been consistently impressive with the ball and showed maturity beyond her age today.”
England, chasing a record target of 319, showed resilience as Nat Sciver-Brunt and Emma Lamb added 162 runs after an early collapse. However, the late charge wasn't enough, and the hosts fell 13 runs short.
Building Momentum Towards the World Cup
"India’s recent performances — including a 3-2 T20I series win over England — reflect a team peaking at the right time. With the ODI World Cup looming and a challenging three-match series against Australia ahead, Harmanpreet remains cautiously optimistic.
“This series gives us a lot of confidence, but we know the World Cup is a fresh challenge,” she said. “In home conditions, we’ll have to start again from ball one.”
"She emphasized that the team’s consistency stems from years of hard work and a clear focus on maximizing individual strengths.
“We’re not thinking too far ahead. Our goal is to play good cricket, use the talent at the right time, and deliver when it matter
