England thrash India to register first win of Women's World Cup

However, India did not give them an easy win. With just 134 runs to defend in a 50 over match, picking up six wickets to maintain pressure on the opposition is a great deal.

After losing all their matches in this world cup, England finally capitalised on their bowling decision after winning the toss. Everything went in their favour as they destroyed India's batting line-up.

India's batting collapsed

Smriti Mandhana and Richa Ghosh are the only positives who score 30 plus runs in their innings. Smriti Mandhana, on 35, looked helpless as the team collapsed to 61/5 within 17 overs.

There was a danger of the team being bowled out for less than 100 before a partnership between Richa Ghosh (32) and Jhulan Goswami took them past three figures. Middle-order collapse and incredible fielding by England failed the Indian team.

21-year-old spinner Charlotte Dean became Player of the Match as she registered her career-best figures of 4/23 as India were bowled out for 134 in 36.2 overs.

Captain Heather Knight played the anchor role

In reply, England lost two wickets quickly as Meghna Singh and Jhulan Goswami struck early but could not find a way to dismiss the England captain. Heather Knight (53*) and Natalie Sciver (45) put them on course for their first tournament win as they ended their three-match losing streak.

Despite the wobble, her 65-run third-wicket partnership with Natalie Sciver, who looked a class apart, was enough for England to make it home. There weren’t much more Indian bowlers could have done after their hasty innings. 

England finally got back to winning ways, but India wouldn't be too disheartened with their performance, given they managed to pick six wickets. It's a win that England needed to keep their journey alive in the tournament after their share of nail-biting heartbreaks. 

Mithali Raj said, "We didn't have partnerships and it didn't go our way despite getting what we wanted after losing the toss.

"When you lose, you always think you are short on runs. Getting 200 could have had the match go either way.

"Every game we've done well as a fielding unit. It is a department where we have improved. We need to work very hard with our batting. It is an honor to play alongside Jhulan Goswami. It is difficult for any fast bowler to play at this level consistently."

Battle for the semi-finals

England, with this win have made it challenging for India to qualify for the semi-finals by not giving away two easy points to halt their progress. India now stands at third in the points table and has a considerable fight left with the table-topper Australia on 19th March 2022 in Auckland to make it through for semis.