India’s visit of England continues to improve, with Harmanpreet Kaur winning the first One-Day International by four wickets at The Rose Bowl in Southampton on Wednesday, July 16. After winning the five-match T20I series 3-2, the Women in Blue appeared confident in the 50-over contest, and they recorded a memorable win to establish a commanding lead in the three-match series.
Nat Sciver-Brunt won the toss and chose to bat first on Wednesday. Kranti Goud, on the other hand, bowled wonderfully with the new ball, dismissing Amy Jones and Tammy Beaumont within her first two overs. At 20/2, England required a partnership, which Emma Lamb and skipper Sciver-Brunt provided. They scored 71 runs off 87 balls.
However, Sneh Rana dispatched the first two set hitters in rapid succession.
When the score was 97/4, Davidson Richards and Sophia Dunkley joined forces, combining for 106 runs off 142 balls. Sophie Ecclestone joined Dunkley in the middle after Richards was removed for 53 off 73 balls. They put on a 55-run stand off 37 balls, with Dunkley being removed off the penultimate delivery of the innings. She hit 83 off 92 balls, including nine boundaries. England concluded with 258/6 in 50 overs, which appeared to be at least 20 runs shy of par. Sneh Rana was the best of the bowlers, with figures of 2/31 in 10 overs.
In reply, Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal got India off to a good start, contributing 48 runs in eight overs. The Indian vice-captain was the first Indian hitter to be removed, having scored 28 off 24 balls. Rawal (36), Harleen Deol (27), and Harmanpreet Kaur (17) received starts but failed to convert them into significant scores.
India were struggling at 124/4 in the 28th over. However, Jemimah Rodrigues and Deepti Sharma put on a 90-run stand in just 86 deliveries. Jemimah was dismissed for a 54-ball 48, but Deepti kept the scoreboard rolling.
Richa Ghosh was dismissed for 10, but Amanjot Kaur and Deepti both went unbeaten on 20 off 14 balls, finishing on 62 after facing 64 deliveries. India cruised to victory in 48.2 overs, taking four wickets.
India
