India Clinch ODI Series 2-1 with Thrilling 13-Run Win Over England, Harmanpreet and Goud Star

India sealed a memorable 13-run victory over England in the third and final ODI at Chester-le-Street on Wednesday, clinching the series 2-1. The win was powered by a commanding century from skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and a sensational six-wicket haul by 19-year-old pacer Kranti Goud.

Opting to bat first, India posted a daunting total of 318/5 — their second-highest ODI score against England. Harmanpreet led from the front with a fluent 102 off 84 balls, her seventh ODI century and third versus England, laced with 14 boundaries.

India’s innings was anchored by strong partnerships. Openers Pratika Rawal and Smriti Mandhana gave a steady start with a 64-run stand, before Mandhana fell for 45. Harmanpreet then stitched an 81-run stand with Harleen Deol (45), followed by a blistering 110-run partnership with Jemimah Rodrigues, who smashed 50 off 45 balls. Richa Ghosh provided a late flourish, hammering 38 off just 18 balls at a strike rate of 211.11.

In reply, England stumbled early as Goud struck twice in her first two overs, reducing the hosts to 9/2. Emma Lamb (68) and skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt (98) revived the chase with a resilient 162-run partnership for the third wicket. But wickets began to tumble after Lamb was bowled by Shree Charani in the 31st over.

Sciver-Brunt narrowly missed a century, falling to Deepti Sharma in the 35th over, but kept England in the hunt. Alice Davidson-Richards (44 off 34) kept the fight alive until the 48th over, when Goud returned to dismiss her and later sealed the win by bowling Lauren Bell with 14 needed off the final over.

Goud’s remarkable 6/52 in just her fourth ODI made her the second-youngest Indian woman to take a five-wicket haul in ODIs, only behind Deepti Sharma. She also became just the second Indian woman to achieve a six-wicket haul in the format, following Purnima Choudhary.

The win capped off a successful tour for India, who also triumphed in the T20I series. Harmanpreet’s milestone of crossing 4000 ODI runs — becoming only the third Indian woman to do so after Mithali Raj and Smriti Mandhana — added further shine to the series victory.

Brief Scores:

India Women: 318/5 in 50 overs (Harmanpreet Kaur 102, Jemimah Rodrigues 50, Harleen Deol 45)
England Women: 305 all out in 49.5 overs (Nat Sciver-Brunt 98, Emma Lamb 68, Alice Davidson-Richards 44; Kranti Goud 6/52)

Result: India won by 13 runs and clinched the ODI series 2-1.