IND-W vs ENG-W

Here's the cliché one more time — "it is never really over, until it's actually over". There is a reason why this phrase gets repeated all the time in cricket. Indian fans might still be pinching themselves. They thought they had it in the bag, but alas, the team could not get past the finish line.

That result not only keeps the others in the race for the final semifinal spot, but also plunges the Women in Blue into nearly must-win territory. Their match against New Zealand could well become a virtual quarterfinal.

Hopefully, you'll join us for that game, as well as the ones before that. Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh will be next, tomorrow. For now, this is Darpan and Bala bidding goodbye! Happy Diwali! See you soon.

Natalie Sciver-Brunt (England captain): "So so happy. I think everyone showed how calm they were. We needed to stick in throughout the bowling innings. It looked like they would chase it easy. But we knew if we pick a few wickets, we were still in. We hadn't really been tested towards the end of our innings. We were prepared for it. Smith was always going to bowl the last over. Knight's innings was special. She showed some brilliant intent throughout. I think we could have got more runs, but we messed up towards the end. So happy to get the qualification to the semifinals. But we would want to gain some confidence from the last two games."

Harmanpreet Singh (India captain): "Smriti's wicket was the turning point. Still we had a lot of batters. I don't know how things went the other way. Credit to England. It's a very bad feeling when you have put so much hard work. Last 5-6 overs didn't go according to the plan. It's a very heartbreaking moment. We are playing good cricket, but that last line we have to cross. It's been three games, we played good cricket but failed to cross that line. Our bowlers did really good job, they were looking really good. We thought, if we can get them under 300, it would be really good for us. We did a lot of things right. Things were under control when Smriti and I were batting together. We still had batters, but couldn't get it done today. Next game is very important. Hope it will go our way."

Heather Knight: "Really pleased. Nice to get the conditions conducive for batting. We probably needed 300. Frustrated with how I got out. If a set batter was there, we could have pushed it. A bit slow at the start, but definitely a good pitch. Pleased with a match-defininging innings, I wanted that after those couple of matches. Different conditions, I was free to play reverse-sweeps. Suited me quite well. Just on the day, felt like the right option. Australia are a quality team, good chance to test ourselves against the best in the world now that we've qualified."

10:14 PM IST: England win by 4 runs and qualify for the semifinals.

Heather Knight 109 (91) | Natalie Sciver-Brunt 38 (49) & 2/47 (10)
Smriti Mandhana 88 (94) | Deepti Sharma 50 (57) & 4/51 (10)

Haven't you heard it a bazillion times before? "It is never really over, until it is actually over." For a large part in the run-chase, India were cruising. Yet, they somehow end-up short. Should they have tried to finish it off a bit early? Should they have taken a few more risks? Did a few extra dot balls here and there cost them? There are several questions they will have to ask themselves and find the answers too. For now, the despondency in that dugout as well as in the stands is as palpable as it can get.

But let's take a moment to celebrate the hero of this match. No, we aren't talking of Heather Knight, who scored a high-quality ton in her 300th international appearance. We are not talking of Natalie Sciver-Brunt, who once again made all-round contributions. We are not even talking about Sophie Ecclestone, who seemingly turned it around with the wicket of Deepti Sharma. We are talking about a player, who's name might not even make the headlines, but without her, England could not have won it. We are talking of LINSEY SMITH!

Firstly, she delivered an excellent spell up-top, giving away only 8 runs in the 4 overs she bowled in the powerplay. Then, came back to take the wicket of Smriti Mandhana, who played a splendid knock today. And finally, two tight overs at the death to take England home. Smith has had an outstanding night.

India would be gutted. They pulled things back beautifully at the fag end of the first innings with some impressive fielding — England went from 246/3 to 280/8. Then, we saw exquisite performances from their senior pros. Mandhana exhibited solidity and assurance in the way she went about her business. Harmanpreet Kaur exuded an air of authority. Deepti Sharma chipped in with a 4fer as well as a half-century. And despite that, they have finished short of the finish line. They are now nearly in must-win territory in this tournament. 

49.6 Linsey Smith to Amanjot Kaur, FOUR! England come out of nowhere to edge it! Tossed up full outside off. Slices it over the fielder at backward point. Gets the boundary, but it's all too late for India