India Wins ODI Series as Harmanpreet's Sheer Century and Goud's Six-Wicket Effort Shine

India's women's cricket team concluded a gripping One Day International series victory over England with a nail-biting 13-run win in the last game. The heroics of the match belonged to skipper Harmanpreet Kaur who struck an emphatic century and Kranti Goud who pitched in with an excellent bowling effort claiming six wickets. Harmanpreet's attacking innings of 102 off only 84 balls was the second quickest Indian female hundred in ODIs and her first century since June 2024. Her innings provided a solid platform for India to set up a huge total of 318 runs that proved to be their eighth 300-plus in ODIs since January 2024. India began the match by opting to bat. Smriti Mandhana started with panache striking three successive boundaries and quickly received support from Pratika Rawal, who too played some impressive shots.

They had put on a solid opening partnership of 64 runs in less than 13 overs before Rawal got caught behind after playing a cut shot. Mandhana kept playing assuredly but got out for 45 when she misjudged a pull shot. Harleen Deol followed and although she was almost out early on a review miss by England she was rescued. She then joined Harmanpreet and the two started to rebuild the innings in a composed manner. Although the England spinners attempted to put the brakes on India crossed the 100-run mark consistently and kept the scoreboard moving. Harmanpreet played cautiously to settle down but once settled she went into attack mode. Together with Harleen, she established an 81-run partnership before Harleen got out after contributing precious runs. Jemimah Rodrigues came in to join the captain and the two took full charge of the innings. Harmanpreet completed her fifty in 54 deliveries and Jemimah contributed runs at a fast pace from the other end with three boundaries in an over.

The pair contributed 110 runs with some great strokeplay and running between the wickets. Harmanpreet was playing some great cricket and took her century in 82 balls. Rodrigues also reached her half-century before getting out shortly after. Richa Ghosh played in the last overs and put the finishing touches with a six and some additional boundaries. India piled on 120 runs in the final 10 overs making it a difficult total for England. England's pursuit did not get off to a good start with Kranti Goud hitting in the first over clean bowling Tammy Beaumont. She picked up another wicket in her second over having Amy Jones caught behind with a sharp edge. Goud's initial spell kept England on the back foot and even though Emma Lamb played some solid shots, the side was able to manage just 22 runs in the opening 10 overs. Nat Sciver-Brunt who had walked in early was cautious of getting settled but later in the innings she found her touch and started to bat more freely. Lamb and Sciver-Brunt formed a good partnership and kept slowly increasing their scoring rate. Lamb reached her half-century and Sciver-Brunt soon joined her as they took the total to 150 plus.

They continued to add a 162-run partnership the record highest for England against India in ODIs breaking a 2002 record. The Indian bowlers remained calm and were able to end the large stand when Charani bowled Lamb who went for a sweep shot. Then, in the next ball, Sciver-Brunt who was only two runs short of a well-merited hundred attempted a sweep but received a faint glove to the keeper and was out for 98. These two wickets turned the game around and brought India back in command. Sophia Dunkley attempted to carry on the charge but was run out while trying a dangerous single. Dean and Davidson-Richards tried their level best to get England back in the game by scoring some boundaries. But with the asking rate rising and wickets losing it seemed an uphill task for the home side. Kranti Goud came in to complete the job nicely. She got Dean out by a clever ball and then snatched another catch off her own bowling to get rid of Filer. In the last over England required 23 runs but Goud struck once more to claim her sixth wicket by dismissing Bell after she scored a six. Goud's eventual figures of 6 for 52 is only the fifth time a woman from India has achieved six wickets in a One Day International match. Her effort was the perfect sequel to the proper job done earlier by the Indian batswomen. This game was a powerful assertion by India's women's team of their increasing dominance in 50-over cricket. Harmanpreet's innings was packed with intent timing and leadership and Goud's bowling spell was tight aggressive and match-winning. Middle-order stability was provided by Jemimah Rodrigues and Harleen Deol while Richa Ghosh demonstrated her finishing ability.

The bowlers supported each other well and fielding assists such as Deepti Sharma's one-handed effort also boosted the team's confidence. The game had it all, from scorching batting to match-turning spells and pressure-cooker moments. In this victory, India wrapped up the series and took away a lot of positives. Harmanpreet finding her touch at the right moment and Goud becoming a new bowling sensation are big positives to take away from the match. In their momentum to bigger tournaments, India's depth in their batting order and diversity in bowling possibilities seem extremely promising. The combination of experience and youth is obviously working well and supporters can expect to see much more like it in the years ahead.