IND vs ENG, 2nd W-ODI preview: Dominant India looks to seal series against England
India, riding high on recent success, will aim to seal the three-match women’s ODI series against England when the teams meet in the second game at Lord’s on Saturday. A four-wicket win in the Southampton opener has given Harmanpreet Kaur’s side the upper hand.
The series holds extra weight as preparation for the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup, which India will host later this year. With multiple players in top form, competition for spots is fierce — a welcome headache for coach Amol Muzumdar.
Injuries to Renuka Singh Thakur and Pooja Vastrakar opened the door for 21-year-old Kranti Goud, who impressed on debut with two wickets while sharing the new ball with fellow rookie Amanjot Kaur.
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The batting order also reflects depth: Pratika Rawal has emerged as Smriti Mandhana’s opening partner, though Shafali Verma remains a strong contender after stellar performances in T20Is, WPL, and domestic cricket. A possible return for Shafali could push Rawal to No. 3, leaving Harleen Deol’s place uncertain in a middle order featuring Harmanpreet, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, and Richa Ghosh.
The spin department is equally stacked, with N. Shree Charani — Player of the T20I Series after topping the wicket charts — joining Deepti, Sneha Rana, and Radha Yadav. Deepti, fresh off a match-winning half-century capped by a stunning one-handed six in the first ODI, will once again be pivotal.
Having already clinched its maiden T20I series win in England, India’s confidence is soaring. A series win at Lord’s would further sharpen its World Cup readiness and boost morale ahead of the global event starting September 30. England, meanwhile, faces a must-win situation to keep the series alive after suffering its fifth straight ODI defeat on home soil.
SQUADS
India: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (wk), Yastika Bhatia (wk), Tejal Hasabnis, Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Sree Charani, Shuchi Upadhyay, Amanjot Kaur, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gaud, Sayali Satghare.
England: Nat Sciver-Brunt (c), Em Arlott, Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Alice Capsey, Kate Cross, Alice Davidson-Richards, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Amy Jones, Emma Lamb, Linsey Smith.
