ENG-W vs IND-W, 1st ODI: Deepti Sharma’s unbeaten half-century helps India beat England by four wickets to take series lead
The Indian women’s team took a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series against England after beating the host by four wickets in the first match on Wednesday at The Ageas Bowl stadium in Southampton.
Deepti Sharma’s unbeaten half-century, supported by fine knocks by Jemimah Rodrigues and Amanjot Kaur, helped India chase down 259 with 10 balls to spare.
India is yet to win the toss in this tour which meant England, bolstered by the return of skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt, elected to bat.
The Women in Blue were off the blocks with a flying start after pacer Kranti Goud removed both English openers in Tamsin Beaumont and Amy Jones in the PowerPlay for her first international wickets.
After the hint of an early collapse, it was Sciver-Brunt and Emma Lamb who rebuilt England’s innings by adding 71 runs for the third wicket. However, Sneh Rana removed both of them between the 19th and 21st overs to bring India back into the contest.
To the host’s rescue, Sophia Dunkley (83 off 92 balls) and Alice Davidson-Richards (53 off 73 balls) stitched up a crucial 106-run partnership. Ecclestone’s cameo towards the end of the innings, a 19-ball 23, also helped England cross the 250-run mark.
