Deepti Sharma delivered a masterclass with the bat, scoring an unbeaten 62 runs, to guide India Women to a four-wicket victory over England Women in the first One-Day International at the Utilita Bowl. This crucial win gives India a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
England Sets a Challenging Target
After winning the toss and electing to bat first, England posted a competitive total of 258/6 in their allotted 50 overs. Sophia Dunkley was the standout performer for the hosts, crafting a superb 83 off 92 balls.
Alice Davidson-Richards also contributed with a solid half-century (53 off 73 balls), building a vital 106-run partnership with Dunkley. Earlier, Kranti Goud (2/55) and Sneh Rana (2/31) made crucial breakthroughs for India, preventing England from reaching an even higher total.
India’s Chase: A Mix of Starts and Stumbles
India’s chase of 259 began brightly, with openers Smriti Mandhana (28) and Pratika Rawal (36) providing a good start. However, a mid-innings wobble saw India lose quick wickets, including captain Harmanpreet Kaur for 17, leaving them at 124/4 at one stage.
Deepti Sharma’s Calm and Composed Knock
Stepping in at a critical juncture, Deepti Sharma took charge of the innings. She forged a crucial 90-run partnership with Jemimah Rodrigues, who played a valuable knock of 48 off 54 balls. Sharma showcased her composure and ability to rotate the strike, while also finding the boundaries when needed. Her sweep shots, on which she has worked extensively, proved particularly effective on the pitch.
The Decisive Partnership and Finishing Flourish
Even after Rodrigues’ dismissal, Deepti remained unfazed. She continued to anchor the chase, bringing up her half-century off 52 balls. With Amanjot Kaur (20* off 14 balls) providing crucial support in the death overs, Deepti ensured there were no further hiccups. Amanjot hit the winning runs with a boundary, sealing a memorable victory for India with 10 balls to spare.
Player of the Match Performance
For her match-winning unbeaten knock of 62 runs from 64 balls, Deepti Sharma was deservedly awarded the Player of the Match. Her composed batting under pressure and ability to guide the chase through its various phases were pivotal to India’s success. This victory marks India’s second-highest successful chase in Women’s ODIs, highlighting the significance of Deepti Sharma’s performance.
