ENG-W vs IND-W: Harmanpreet Kaur showcases stunning reflexes to dismiss Alice Capsey in first ODI

It was a memorable outing for Team India as they defeated England in the opening game of the three-match ODI series and took an early lead of 1-0. After some terrific efforts by the Indian bowlers to restrict the hosts to a low total, the batters went on to finish the chase with ease and grab the first win.

During the match at the County Ground in Hove, one thing that caught everyone’s attention was Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur’s stunning one-handed catch which helped all-rounder Sneh Rana dismiss debutant Alice Capsey early in the game. In the 18^th over, Capsey tossed the full delivery and it sailed rapidly to the right of the Indian captain.

However, Kaur quickly plunged low to her right and reached out to grab the ball with her right hand. Her valiant efforts paid off as she caught the ball and sent Capsey back to the pavilion in her maiden ODI outing for a low score of 19(28). Her wicket added to England’s misery as the hosts lost their third wicket for a low total.

Here’s the video:

India cruise past England to go one up in the series

Speaking of how the game panned out, Kaur won the toss and put the hosts to bat first. Her decision worked in India’s favor as veteran pacer Jhulan Goswami, alongside young Meghana Singh, kept the English batters under control and allowed them to score just 26 runs in the powerplay, thereby picking a wicket each.

England’s game boosted in the middle overs when Danni Wyatt and Alice Davidson-Richards shared a notable partnership, but Indian bowlers kept taking wickets at regular intervals and broke England’s momentum in the game which led to the Amy Jones-led side posting 227/7 on board. While Deepti Sharma bagged two wickets, Goswami, Meghana, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Rana, and Harleen Deol picked up a wicket each.

India’s start to the chase was scary as opening batter Shafali Verma was dismissed in the second over scoring just a run off the six deliveries that she faced. When it looked like England had taken an early advantage, Smriti Mandhana and Yastika Bhatia put up a great show on display as they shared a brilliant 96-run stand for the second wicket and got their respective half-centuries before the wicketkeeper-batter made her exit.

The chase was then carried by Mandhana and skipper Kaur, who stitched up a massive 99-run stand before the former walked off on 91(99), falling just nine runs short of a much deserved century. Kaur remained unbeaten scoring 74*(94) as she went on to finish off the chase in style with 34 balls to spare as India won the first game by seven wickets.