India’s semi-final hopes in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 suffered a massive blow as they fell short by just four runs against England at Holkar Stadium, Indore. Chasing a competitive 288, India looked in command at 234/3, anchored by opener Smriti Mandhana on 88, and seemed poised for a thrilling victory in front of a roaring home crowd. However, a single lapse proved costly as Mandhana’s soft dismissal off spinner Linsey Smith completely shifted momentum.
The Indian middle order struggled to consolidate thereafter, despite Deepti Sharma’s resilient half-century, as pressure mounted and the run-rate climbed alarmingly. England, on the back of a masterful century from Heather Knight, had set a total that ultimately proved just enough to withstand India’s fightback.
Women’s World Cup 2025 : Heather Knight’s class and England’s tactical mastery
Knight was the undisputed architect of England’s competitive total, crafting a brilliant 86-ball century to anchor the innings after a cautious start. England had navigated the powerplay carefully, reaching 44-0, with former captain Knight and Nat Sciver-Brunt later combining for a crucial 113-run partnership for the third wicket. Knight’s innings was a blend of elegance and aggression, featuring 15 fours and a six, and showcased her remarkable ability to manipulate the field, rotate strike, and punish loose deliveries. The openers, Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones, provided an initial platform despite Beaumont’s modest 22, allowing Knight and Sciver-Brunt to accelerate and set a challenging target.
However, England also experienced a wobble in the late overs, losing three wickets for just eight runs, including quick dismissals of Sophia Dunkley, Emma Lamb and Alice Capsey, which added drama and tension to the contest. Knight’s run-out, chasing quick runs, highlighted the high-risk decisions needed at the death, yet her innings had already established England’s dominant position. Under Coach Charlotte Edwards, England’s more conventional gameplan, prioritizing wicket preservation and partnerships over sheer aggression, was executed flawlessly, setting the blueprint for future encounters and proving invaluable against a world-class Indian lineup.
Women’s World Cup 2025 : India’s middle-order collapse and missed opportunities
India’s chase was a tale of promise cut short, with Smriti Mandhana providing a sublime platform alongside Harmanpreet Kaur in a fluent 125-run partnership, which had the crowd anticipating a stunning turnaround. Mandhana looked set for a match-defining century, her timing and placement almost flawless, but a lapse of concentration in the 42nd over, caught down the ground off spinner Linsey Smith, proved pivotal.
Following her dismissal, India’s middle order faltered under mounting pressure, and despite Deepti Sharma’s gritty 50, the team failed to sustain momentum. With just 14 needed off the final over, nerves and pressure combined against India, and Smith’s composure sealed England’s narrow victory. The game exposed India’s recurring issue of converting promising starts into match-winning totals and highlighted the reliance on their top order to deliver under high-pressure conditions. For India, lessons in composure, running between the wickets, and middle-order resilience will be crucial if they are to stay in contention for the semi-finals, especially as they face formidable opponents in the remaining group matches.
💔 Heartbreak for India!
India were cruising at one stage but lost momentum and ultimately fell short by 4 runs against England in a thrilling finish. 🏏
Scorecard: https://t.co/gsSf6oZkbU#CWC25 #womensworldcup2025 #INDWvENGW #cricket #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/1dugQLg33v
— WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ) October 19, 2025
Here’s how fans reacted:
This is a proper heartbreak 💔 #IndvEng #WWC25
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) October 19, 2025
India had the game, and potentially qualification, within grasp. England were searching for answers. This will hurt big time. #IndvsEng. #ICCWomensWorldCup2025
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) October 19, 2025
Ever since Mithali Raj has retired, India have rarely pulled off chases of 250+
They really miss that calm player in pressure situations who can stay not out and close out matches#CWC25 #INDvENG
— Mohit Shah (@mohit_shah17) October 19, 2025
India 🇮🇳 women’s cricket team is the biggest chokers in women’s cricket 🏏
Btw, Congratulations Team England 🏴 for qualifying for the semi finals of World Cup 2025 👏🏻#INDWvsENGW pic.twitter.com/zMHI4DMUxt
— Richard Kettleborough (@RichKettle07) October 19, 2025
England didn’t win it, India gifted it 😶 Classic choke at the end!#INDWvsENGW #WomensWorldCup2025 pic.twitter.com/BHxjMRcU5m
— Sarcasm (@sarcastic_us) October 19, 2025
🚨🚨That’s Harleen Deol for you.
She is in the team because of friendship quota. Her only achievement is the catch she took a couple of years ago against England.
It’s very sad that India started investing in Below Average players #INDWvsENGW #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/XKLKEVFyHA— Wickets Hitting (@offpacedelivery) October 19, 2025
Indian women cricket Team
Salary they get Performance#WorldCup #INDWvsENGW
— The last dance (@26lastdance) October 19, 2025
They choked a cakewalk. @BCCIWomen 😡🤡 #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/ISheUBGpyd
— The GK 🕸️ (@JusttKriSH) October 19, 2025
You can’t lose that game and expect to win the World Cup. Stunning loss for the Women in Blue. Nobody took the responsibility to finish it off! #CWC25 #IndvEng
— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) October 19, 2025
This is not another we took took the game deep case. India properly choked after Smriti fell to what was an unnecessary shot. #INDvENG
— Sa. Gomesh | ச. கோமேஷ் (@SaGomesh) October 19, 2025
This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
