India Wins Series Opener Against England

India started the ODI series with a comfortable four-wicket victory over England, taking a 1-0 series lead. Deepti Sharma scored an unbeaten 62 and was well supported by Jemimah Rodrigues (48) in the chase of 259.

Key Performances

• Deepti Sharma: 62* (unbeaten)
• Jemimah Rodrigues: 48
• Sophia Dunkley: 83 (for England)
• Alice Davidson Richards: 53 (for England)
• Kranti Goud: 2-55 (for India)
• Sneh Rana: 2-31 (for India)

Match Summary

India struck early with Kranti Goud bowling an unplayable delivery to dismiss Amy Jones. Goud picked up her second wicket with a beautiful inswinger to trap Tammy Beaumont on the pads. England's Sophia Dunkley and Alice Davidson Richards scored fighting fifties to take the hosts to a respectable score.

India turned to spin in the middle overs, but England's batters continued to find boundaries. Sneh Rana got Emma Lamb to chip one straight to mid-off, and then picked up Nat Sciver-Brunt in her next over. The two new batters, Dunkley and Davidson Richards, brought England back into the contest.

India's reply began in steady fashion, with openers Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal taking a couple of overs to get their eye in. Mandhana was strong on the onside, but was dismissed after nicking behind. Rawal and Harleen Deol continued the momentum, but Deol was run out after not grounding her bat in the crease.

The partnership of 90 runs between Rodrigues and Deepti turned the game for India. Both batters scored quick boundaries, and Deepti slog-swept Lauren Bell into the stands. England struck twice with the wickets of Rodrigues and Richa Ghosh, but Deepti and Amanjot Kaur were clinical in finding the boundaries and took India past the finish line with 10 balls to spare.