A stunning half-century from Deepti Sharma and a crucial spell from all-rounder Sneh Rana were the highlights of Team India`s four-wicket win in the first ODI against England at Southampton.
The win has also helped India take a lead of 1-0 in the three-match ODI series.
Having won the toss, England opted to bat first.
Team India pacer Kranti Goud`s early strikes helped India reduce England to 20 runs for the loss of two wickets. The hosts` openers Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones departed on the scores of five and one run, respectively.
Later, Emma Lamb and skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt stitched a partnership of 71 runs. Lamb played a knock of 39 runs off 50 deliveries, which included four boundaries. On the other hand, Sciver-Brunt accumulated 41 runs in 52 balls, with the help of five boundaries.
The duo was later dismissed by Sneh Rana as England collapsed to 97 runs for the loss of four wickets in 20.1 overs.
A century stand for the fourth-wicket between Sophia Dunkley (83 in 92 balls, with nine fours) and Davidson Richards (53 in 73 balls, with two fours) averted any possible disaster while Sophie Ecclestone`s quick cameo of 23* took England to a solid 258/6 in 50 overs.
Rana (2/31) and Goud (2/55) took two wickets each, while Amanjot Kaur and Shree Charani got one each.
During a chase of 259 runs, openers Pratika Rawal and Smriti Mandhana (28 in 24 balls, with five fours) delivered a solid start with a 48-run stand.
Rawal (36 in 51 balls with three fours) had another 46-run stand with Harleen Deol (27 in 44 balls, with four boundaries), but disaster struck India as they lost Rawal, Deol and skipper Harmanpreet (17) in quick succession, reduced to 124/4 in 27.1 overs.
Jemimah Rodrigues (48 in 54 balls, with five fours) struck an 87-run stand for the fifth wicket with Deepti Sharma, taking the team past 200 runs.
While Richa Ghosh was removed early after Jemimah`s dismissal, Deepti Sharma delivered a match-winning knock of an unbeaten 62 runs. Her 64-ball knock was laced with three boundaries and a maximum. Amanjot Kaur (20* in 14 balls with three fours) stuck around to give India a four-wicket win with 10 balls left.
Charlie Dean (2/52) was England`s top bowler, while Kate Cross, Ecclestone and Lauren Filer got one each.
(With ANI Inputs)
