Cricket has a funny way of repeating itself. If you were watching the England women vs India women clash at the Holkar Stadium in Indore recently, you probably felt a nasty sense of déjà vu. It felt like the 2017 World Cup final all over again, just with different scenery and a lot more smog.
India had it. They really did. Chasing 289, they were cruising at 234 for 3. Then, the wheels didn't just come off; they disintegrated. Honestly, watching India slide from a position of total control to a four-run defeat was brutal. For England, it was a masterclass in staying calm while everyone else is panicking.
The Heather Knight Statement
Let’s talk about Heather Knight. She isn't even the official captain anymore—Nat Sciver-Brunt has that mantle now—but Knight played like a woman with a serious point to prove. In her 300th international match, she hammered 109 off 91 balls. 15 boundaries. One massive six. It was clinical.
She hasn't had the easiest run lately. Getting stripped of the captaincy after a rough Ashes tour would break a lot of players. Instead, she just goes out and anchors an entire innings against one of the best spin attacks in the world.
England finished on 288 for 8. It was a good score, but on that Indore track? Totally chaseable.
Why India Kept Tripping Over the Finish Line
Smriti Mandhana is a joy to watch when she’s in the zone. She hit 88 and made it look effortless. Then you had Harmanpreet Kaur, who looked back to her aggressive best with a solid 70. When those two were together, adding 125 runs, the England bowlers looked completely out of ideas.
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But then the "choke" happened. There’s no other word for it.
- Mandhana holed out to long-on just when she needed to stay deep.
- Harmanpreet got caught at short third man trying to be too clever with a late cut.
- Deepti Sharma reached a 50 but couldn't find the boundary when the required rate spiked.
India needed 36 runs from the final 30 balls with six wickets left. In modern cricket, that is a walk in the park. Somehow, they turned it into a mountain. Linsey Smith, who doesn't always get the headlines, was the hero of the final over, defending 13 runs with ice in her veins.
The Statistical Reality
Numbers don't lie, even if they're a bit depressing for Indian fans. England now leads the ODI head-to-head with 42 wins to India's 36. But more importantly, this win sent England straight into the semi-finals of the 2025 Women's World Cup.
India’s path? Way more complicated. They’ve now lost three straight games against "SENA" countries (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia). It’s a recurring theme where the talent is there, the individual stats are incredible, but the finishing instinct is missing.
Turning the Page to 2026
If you think the rivalry is cooling off, you’ve got another thing coming. The 2026 calendar is already looking packed.
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We’ve got the Women's T20 World Cup coming to England and Wales in June 2026. Before that, India is heading back to the UK for a massive bilateral tour. We're talking five T20Is and a three-match ODI series.
The crown jewel of that 2026 tour, though, is the Test match at Lord’s. It is actually historic—the first time the Indian women’s team will play a Test at the Home of Cricket. About time, right?
The Deepti Sharma Paradox
You can’t talk about England women vs India women without mentioning Deepti Sharma. She is arguably the most polarizing figure in the game. In the Indore match, she took 4 for 51 and became only the second Indian woman to cross 150 ODI wickets.
She’s a genius with the ball. But her batting in the death overs? That’s where the debate starts. Critics argue she doesn't rotate strike fast enough under pressure. Supporters say she’s the only reason the lower order doesn't collapse entirely. Both are probably right.
What Needs to Change for India?
Look, the talent gap between these two teams is non-existent. It’s a mental gap. England players like Sophie Ecclestone and Nat Sciver-Brunt seem to find an extra gear when the pressure is at 100%. India tends to tighten up.
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If India wants to win that Lord's Test in 2026 or finally lift a World Cup trophy, they have to fix the middle-order stagnation. They can't just rely on Mandhana and Kaur to do everything. Players like Richa Ghosh and Jemimah Rodrigues need to be the closers, not just the supporting cast.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans and Analysts
If you're following the trajectory of these two powerhouses, here is how to stay ahead of the curve:
1. Watch the WPL impact
Keep a close eye on the Women's Premier League (WPL) in January and February 2026. This is where the younger Indian players like Shreyanka Patil or Amanjot Kaur are learning to handle the "death-over" pressure that cost them against England.
2. Mark the Lord’s Test
The July 2026 Test at Lord’s isn't just a game; it’s a litmus test for the red-ball format. If you're a purist, this is the one to save for. England’s swing conditions versus India’s technical prowess is the ultimate tactical battle.
3. Scout the New Talent
England is currently integrating players like Lauren Filer and Linsey Smith into permanent roles. India is looking for a consistent third seamer to support Renuka Singh Thakur. Pay attention to the domestic circuit in both countries; that’s where the next match-winner will come from.
The rivalry is no longer just a side-show to the men's game. It’s a headline act. Whether it’s a heartbreaking four-run loss in Indore or a historic Test at Lord's, England women vs India women remains the fixture that defines the modern era of women’s cricket.