Women Cricket
The Riverside Ground at Chester-le-Street witnessed a batting spectacle as the India women’s cricket team soared to a gigantic total of 318/5 in 50 overs, throwing down the gauntlet to hosts England in the ODI series decider. This performance not only underscored India’s batting depth but also set a record for one of the highest totals in recent women’s ODI contests.
Power-Packed Batting: How India Reached 318
Key Batting Highlights
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate | Special Note |
| Harmanpreet Kaur | 102 | 84 | 14 | 2 | 121.4 | Captain’s century |
| Jemimah Rodrigues | 50 | 56 | 5 | 0 | 89.3 | Vital middle-order anchor |
| Smriti Mandhana | 45 | 54 | 7 | 0 | 83.3 | Solid start |
| Harleen Deol | 45 | 52 | 5 | 0 | 86.5 | Stabilized the innings |
| Richa Ghosh | 38 | 18 | 4 | 2 | 211.1 | Late fireworks |
- Opening Stand: Smriti Mandhana and youngster Pratika Rawal gave India a strong start with a 64-run partnership before Rawal fell for 26.
- Middle Order Stability: Harleen Deol and Harmanpreet Kaur steadied the ship after early wickets.
- Game-Changer: Harmanpreet’s aggressive 102 (her 7th ODI hundred) included 14 boundaries and showcased her trademark big-match temperament.
- Finishers: Quick runs by Richa Ghosh ensured a late surge, pushing India past the 300-mark.
England’s Bowling Summary
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy | Best Spell |
| Sophie Ecclestone | 10 | 28 | 1 | 2.8 | Most economical |
| Lauren Bell | 10 | 55 | 1 | 5.5 | Key breakthroughs |
| Lauren Filer | 10 | 63 | 1 | 6.3 | Struggled in death overs |
| Charlie Dean | 8 | 56 | 1 | 7.0 | Expensive mid-overs |
- England tried various combinations, but only Ecclestone managed to keep a tight check on the scoring.
Match Context & Series Stakes
- Series Status: Locked at 1-1—India won the opener, England bounced back in the second ODI.
- Venue: Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street.
- Record Target: England needs a record chase in women’s ODIs to clinch the series.
Series & Player Facts
- Harmanpreet Kaur’s century adds to her impressive record; she remains among the top run-getters in world cricket.
- Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues have multiple 50+ scores this year, boosting India’s batting consistency.
- India’s total is one of their highest-ever against England in ODIs, and among the top scores globally for 2025.
- Richa Ghosh’s strike rate of 211 is the highest for an innings above 30 runs in this series.
Fun and Noteworthy Stats
| Record | Fact |
| Highest Target vs ENG | 319 (set in this match) |
| Series Decider | Yes (Match 3 of 3) |
| India’s 2025 ODI Record | Won 7 out of last 8 ODIs |
| Captain’s ODI 100s | Harmanpreet Kaur: 7 ODI hundreds |
- India is aiming to win a second consecutive ODI series in England, a rare feat in recent years.
- This is the first time England women have been set a 319+ run target on home soil.
At a Glance: What’s Next?
- England’s Task: Chase a record total of 319 to claim the series.
- India’s Bowlers: Eyes now turn to India’s pace and spin duo to seal victory on English soil.
India’s bold batting statement sets up a tantalizing ODI finale, promising drama and history in women’s cricket
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