India‘s semi-final hopes ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 struck a massive blow fell short by just four runs At the Holkar Stadium in England, Prepared. Chasing a competitive 288, India looked at orders anchored by the opener at 234/3 Smriti mandhana 88 and looked set for a thrilling victory in front of a roaring home crowd. However, a single indiscretion proved costly as Mandhana’s soft dismissal Dinsey Smith Totally sped up.
The Indian middle order struggled to consolidate thereafter Deepti SharmaA sustained half-century in pressure and the run-rate has risen alarmingly. England, behind Master century from Heather Knighteventually set a total that proved enough to prevent India from stalling.
Women’s World Cup 2025: Heather Knight’s class and England’s tactical mastery
Knight was the architect of England’s competitive streak, producing a brilliant 86-ball century to anchor the innings after a cautious start. England carefully navigated their way to 44-0, 44-0 with their old captain Knight Nat increases later putting together a crucial 113-run partnership for the third wicket. Knight’s innings was a mixture of elegance and aggression with 15 Fours and sixes, sixes, and showed his remarkable ability to manipulate the field, strike and punish the loose delivery. openers, Tammy Beaumont and Amy JonesDespite Beaumont’s modesty, it provided an initial platform that allowed the knight and something slimmer to accelerate and set a difficult target.
However, England also suffered a lean in their late stages, losing three wickets for just eight runs, including a quick dismissal. Sophia Dunkley, Emma Lamb and Alice CapseyWhich adds drama and tension to the competition. Knight’s run-out highlighted the high-risk decisions required at the death, but his innings had already established England’s dominant position. Under the coach Charlotte EdwardsEngland’s more conventional gameplan, prioritizing wicket protection and partnering with sheer aggression, was impeccably executed, setting the blueprint for future encounters and proving invaluable against a world-class Indian squad.
Women’s World Cup 2025: India’s middle-order collapse and missed opportunities
India’s Chase was a word and a word with Smriti Mandhana providing a brief platform with SMRITI MANBANA Harmanpreet Kaur In a partnership of 125 runs with a crowd waiting for a stunning turn. Mandhana’s match-defining century, designed for its timing and placement, was almost flawless, but a lapse in concentration in the 42nd over, when off spinner Linsey Smith, proved pivotal.
After his dismissal, India’s middle order is under mounting pressure and despite that Deepti SharmaGritty 50, the team couldn’t keep up the momentum. In just 14 overs, a combination of nerves and pressure against India needing only 14 overs, Smith’s nerve sealed England’s narrow victory. The game has been a recurring issue of India’s build-up to a flurry of starts, match-winning totals and underscored its confidence in its top order to deliver in high-pressure conditions. For India, the lessons in consistency, runs between the wickets and middle-order resilience will remain in contention for the semi-finals, especially as they face formidable opponents in the remaining group matches.
Heart for India!
India were watching at one stage but lost momentum and eventually lost 4 runs against England in a thrilling result. 🏏
Scorecard: https://t.co/gssf6ozkbu# Cwc25 # WOMENSWORLDDCUP2025 #Indwvengw #cricket #Inveng pic.twitter.com/1duggqlg33v
– WomenCricket.com (@womencrickethq) October 19, 2025
Here is the reaction of the fans:
It’s a proper heartache #Indveng # WWC25
– Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) October 19, 2025
India had the game and potentially the qualification. England was looking for answers. This will hurt big time. #Indvseng. #ICCWOMENSWORLDDCUP2025
– Harsha Bhogle (@bhogharsha) October 19, 2025
Ever since Mithali Raj retired, India have rarely produced a 250+ chase
They really miss that quiet game and that quiet game in pressure situations that can close matches# Cwc25 #Inveng
– Mohit Shah (@mohit_shah17) October 19, 2025
India 🇮🇳 Women’s cricket team are the biggest players in women’s cricket 🏏
BTW, Teablosy Teoprations Team, for the World Cup 2025 👏🏻 semi final selection#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 # WOMENSWORLDDCUP2025 pic.twitter.com/bhxjmrcu5m
– sarcasm (@sarcastic_us) October 19, 2025
🚨🚨Our harleen delolu for you.
He is in the team because of the friendship quota. His only success is the catch he took against England a few years back.
It is very sad that India has started investing in middle class players #Indwvsengw #Inveng pic.twitter.com/xklkevfyha– Witkets stroke (@offpacediveriya) October 19, 2025
Indian Women’s Cricket Team
The pay they get for performance#Worldcup #Indwvsengw
– last dance (@26Sastdance) October 19, 2025
They drowned a tortewalk. @Bcciwomen 😡🤡 #Inveng pic.twitter.com/isheubgpyd
– GK 🕸️ (@justkrikin) October 19, 2025
You can’t lose that game and expect to win the World Cup. A surprising loss for the women in blue. No one took responsibility for finishing it! # Cwc25 #Indveng
– Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) October 19, 2025
It’s nothing more, it took the game deep. India were properly bowled after Smriti fell to a needless shot. #Inveng
– a snake. Mother | S Diya Ben. No. The answer will be the teacher’s Wasphaphymn Wifun October 19, 2025
This article was originally published WomenCricket.coma Cricket timings Company.
