Harmanpreet’s Heroics and Kranti Gaud’s Six-Fer Power India to Series-Winning ODI Triumph Over England

India Women wrapped up a thrilling ODI series with a 13-run victory over England in the third and final match on Tuesday, clinching the series 2-1.

A commanding century from captain Harmanpreet Kaur and a quickfire half-century from Jemimah Rodrigues laid the foundation for India's imposing total of 318/5, while young sensation Kranti Gaud starred with a match-winning six-wicket haul.

Harmanpreet delivered a masterclass with the bat, scoring a scintillating 102 off just 84 deliveries. Her knock was laced with 14 boundaries, many of which pierced the off-side field with precision.

This marked her seventh ODI hundred and third against England. She built two critical partnerships-an 81-run stand with Harleen Deol (45 off 65 balls) for the third wicket and a rapid 110-run partnership in just 77 balls with Rodrigues, who cracked a 45-ball 50 featuring seven boundaries.

Earlier, a steady 64-run opening stand between Smriti Mandhana and debutant Pratika Rawal gave India a solid platform. Mandhana was the aggressor, scoring 45 from 54 balls, while Rawal contributed 26 from 33.

Mandhana's innings ended when she mistimed a pull to midwicket off Sophie Ecclestone, while Rawal edged one behind off Charlie Dean-confirmed by a review.

Rodrigues dazzled during the middle overs, smashing consecutive boundaries off Dean and maintaining pressure on the English bowlers. Despite her fine start, she was dismissed shortly after reaching her half-century. Richa Ghosh added finishing touches with a blazing 38 off just 18 balls, including three fours and two sixes, ensuring India crossed the 300-run mark.

In the bowling department, it was 18-year-old Kranti Gaud who stole the show. In just her fourth ODI appearance, the young pacer delivered an extraordinary spell of 6 for 52, becoming the second-youngest Indian woman to claim a five-wicket haul in ODIs-matching Deepti Sharma's feat at the same age.

India's bowling was tight and supported by sharp fielding. Kranti gave India early breakthroughs, and though England mounted a brief recovery, Shree Charani's timely wicket tilted the balance. Deepti Sharma struck a major blow by removing the dangerous Natalie Sciver-Brunt, who was inching toward a century. Charani added another scalp, but it was Kranti's lethal spell that sealed the contest and the series for India in style.