Harmanpreet Kaur’s Century And Kranti Goud’s 6-fer Takes India To A Historic Women’s ODI Series Win Against England

Chester-le-Street, July 22, 2025 — In a fitting finale to a riveting ODI series, India Women emerged triumphant with a thrilling 13-run win over England Women, sealing a historic 2-1 series victory on English soil. The tourists were led by skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, whose majestic century laid the foundation, and Kranti Goud, whose fiery six-wicket haul under pressure turned the game on its head. It was a day when grit conquered glamour and emerging talent stole the spotlight.

Laying the Foundations: India’s Assertive 318/5

Electing to bat under overcast skies, India began cautiously but purposefully. Openers Pratika Rawal (26) and Smriti Mandhana (45) stitched together an opening stand of 64, setting a steady tone. Although sporadic wickets threatened momentum, Mandi—orignin:Harleen Deol (45 off 65)—and Harmanpreet Kaur launched a decisive assault on the English bowlers.

From her first over, Kaur was determined—her calculated aggression shaping a stunning 91-run partnership with Deol. Each boundary spoke of timing and intent, and each successive shot exuded confidence. The tone of the match shifted up a notch when Jemimah Rodrigues (50 off 45) joined hands with Kaur. Their 110-run collaboration was a masterclass in middle-over acceleration, maintaining rhythm while manipulating the field.

As fielders wore down, Richa Ghosh finished the innings in style—38* off just 18—propelling India to a formidable 318/5. It was the kind of total that demanded both prowess and self-belief to defend.

England’s High-Octane Chase: Drama to the Final Ball

England’s reply began shudderingly. Young medium-pacer Kranti Goud struck early, removing Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones in the third over. England found themselves reeling at 15/2—yet the game wasn’t over. Nat Sciver-Brunt and Emma Lamb counter-attacked with a compelling 162-run partnership, restoring calm and shifting momentum in favour of the hosts.

Brunt’s aggression nearly found its reward—mentored by a timing-rich 98-run knock—before Goud produced a pivotal breakthrough. Lamb (68) departed soon after, as England slipped to 220/4. The lower middle order—Sophia Dunkley (34) and Alice Davidson-Richards (44)—offered resistance, guiding the chase into the final stretch.

At 286/6 with only 32 needed off 15 balls, England had the game within reach. Yet the evening belonged to Kranti Goud. Relying on late–swing and pinpoint accuracy, Goud stunned England, capturing three wickets in the final over—Charlie Dean, Lauren Filer, and Lauren Bell—to complete a magical 6/52 in 9.5 overs. Cheers erupted as England were bowled out for 305, exactly 13 runs shy of their target. It was chaos, emotion, and sheer cricketing heroics.

Kranti Goud: India’s New Supernova

For Kranti Goud, this was more than a six-wicket haul—it was a turning point. The 22-year-old showcasing maturity, focus, and calm under duress—hallmarks of fodder for legendary careers. Her spell will live long in memory: the early wickets, the stalwart middle spell, and a final overs blitz—the ultimate show of composure and killer instinct.

Post-match, Goud emphasized collective strength:

“This was a team effort—everyone played their part when it mattered.”
Her performance didn’t just win a match; it heralded India’s next-generation bowling depth.

Skipper’s Knock: Harmanpreet’s Commanding Century

If Goud wrote a new chapter, Harmanpreet Kaur solidified India’s place in the annals of Indian women’s cricket. Her 102 off 84 balls was a lesson in controlled aggression, transitioning effortlessly from consolidation to domination. Fourteen boundaries, a blitz of calculated power, and the discipline to anchor through middle overs—Kaur’s innings were nothing short of a captain’s statement.

Speaking on the milestone, Kaur reflected:

“I felt responsible to lead the innings and set a big total. The way the bowlers backed it up was incredible.”

Her century was not just timely—it was a message to the cricketing world: Harmanpreet-led India are here to win, and win big.

Support Cast: A Balanced Attack

While the spotlight shines on Kaur and Goud, the victory was a product of collective effort. Deepti Sharma (1/55) maintained control in the middle overs, Shree Charani provided incisive breakthroughs (2/68), and every fielding effort contributed to applying pressure on England’s batters.

Significance: A Resounding Series Victory

The win at Chester-le-Street means India claimed the series 2-1, repeating their 2024 away-clinching victory against England in T20s—this time in ODIs. It marks a massive achievement: winning an ODI series in England, on pitches unfamiliar and under hostile crowds, speaks volumes of India’s rising pedigree.

The triumph also signals the depth of India’s talent pool. With young players like Goud delivering match-winning spells, and leaders like Kaur stepping up, the future looks bright.

What Lies Ahead

Player of the Match: Kranti Goud’s six-wicket destruction, in a tense final-over showdown, cements her status.
Series Awards: Harmanpreet Kaur’s match-shaping knock and Goud’s emergent star power make them frontrunners for MVP.
Moving forward: India will head into the multi-format tour with renewed confidence, knowing they can grind out victories even on challenging overseas surfaces.

Cricket has always been about moments—Harmanpreet’s century, Goud’s searing spell, England’s valiant chase. Today, India wrote their own moments of grit, flair, and celebration. As the players embraced, the officials applauded, and the fans roared, it was clear: India Women’s incredible 13-run victory at Chester-le-Street isn’t just a match-winner. It’s a message.

They came. They conquered. And they announced it loudly: India Women will not be infantry in England—they are cricketing royalty in any country.

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