Smriti Mandhana and Deepti Sharma had tilted the momentum in India’s favour with a solid 69-run stand before England struck thrice in quick succession to claw their way back into the contest.
Mandhana, looking well set, was caught at long on while attempting to go big, giving Linsey Smith her first wicket of the match. Nat Sciver-Brunt then dismissed Richa Ghosh and Sophie Ecclestone tightened the screws by removing Deepti, who fell in similar fashion to Mandhana. The flurry of wickets saw India slip from 234/3 to 262/6.
Earlier, Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur had added 125 runs for the third wicket to keep India’s chase on track after the early setbacks. Kaur, who scored 70 off as many balls, was eventually caught at short third while attempting to play the ball late.
The pair had rebuilt the innings after England struck twice in the powerplay, dismissing Pratika Rawal and Harleen Deol to dent India’s start. Mandhana brought up her second successive fifty, while Kaur registered her first of the tournament to put India in a commanding position.
Lauren Bell had provided England’s first breakthrough when Rawal attempted a late cut but edged through to the keeper. Before the end of the powerplay, Charlie Dean struck again, trapping Deol LBW as she tried to play a slower delivery down the leg side.