India Women began the three-match ODI series against England with a solid four-wicket win in Southampton. Veteran all-rounder Deepti Sharma was named Player of the Match for her match-winning knock of 62 not out.
Chasing 259, India got off to a decent start thanks to Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal. The duo added 48 runs for the first wicket in just eight overs. However, Mandhana was dismissed for 28 off 24 balls by Lauren Bell.
Harleen Deol and Rawal added 46 for the second wicket before the opener fell for 36 off 51 balls to Sophie Ecclestone.
After Rawal’s dismissal, the Indian innings began to wobble. Deol was run out for 27 while going for a quick single. She hung her bat in the air despite being well inside the crease, resulting in a casual dismissal. Soon after, Captain Harmanpreet Kaur failed to increase the scoring rate and was dismissed for 17 off 27. India were reduced to 124/4 in 27.1 overs.
Just as the momentum seemed to shift toward England, Jemimah Rodrigues and Deepti came together to rebuild the innings. They shared a crucial 90-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Jemimah missed out on a well-deserved fifty narrowly, scoring 48 off 54. She was dismissed in an unusual fashion while attempting a scoop shot.
Richa Ghosh fell cheaply for 10 runs. But Amanjot Kaur’s unbeaten cameo of 20 off 14 balls, along with Deepti’s composed 62 not out, sealed the win for India with four wickets and 10 balls to spare.
For England, Charlie Dean took two wickets, while Lauren Filer, Bell, and Ecclestone picked up one each.
England won the toss and chose to bat. They posted 258/6 in 50 overs. Kranti Gaud impressed with the new ball, dismissing both openers — Amy Jones (1) and Tammy Beaumont (5).
Emma Lamb (39) and skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt (41) got starts but failed to convert them into big scores. England were in trouble at 97/4 in 20.1 overs.
Sophia Dunkley and Alice Davidson-Richards stitched a 106-run stand for the fifth wicket. Alice scored 53 before getting out. Ecclestone then played a quick cameo of 23 not out off 19 balls. Dunkley top-scored with 83 off 92 balls.
For India, apart from Gaud’s two wickets, Sneh Rana also claimed two, while Amanjot Kaur and Shree Charani took one each.
During the post-match presentation, Deepti said: “We (Jemimah and her) had a conversation that we needed to score five-six runs an over.”
On Sweeping: “I have worked on my sweep shots in my earlier days. In these pitches, it helps.”
On one-handed six: “I have played these shots in practice. I got to learn that shot from Rishabh Pant. We played in England before. We enjoy each these conditions.”
The second ODI will be played on July 19 at Lord’s. India had won the T20I series earlier.
