Emotional Smriti Mandhana Reacts After India’s Narrow Loss To England

In a dramatic encounter at the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 in Indore, India suffered a narrow four-run defeat to England, leaving star batter Smriti Mandhana teary-eyed after the game. Despite producing a sensational innings of 94 runs off 102 balls, Mandhana couldn’t take India over the finish line in a tense chase of 288.

Her brilliant shot-making and calm temperament kept India in the hunt till the final overs, but the lack of support from the lower order turned the match in England’s favor.

After the game, an emotional Mandhana expressed her disappointment, saying, “It’s really heartbreaking to lose like this. We were so close.” Her words reflected the collective frustration of the team and the fans who watched India’s hopes fade in the final moments. Mandhana’s innings was widely praised as one of her best under pressure, showing both maturity and grit against a disciplined English attack.

Captain Harmanpreet Kaur Praises Mandhana’s Effort

Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur lauded her vice-captain’s performance, acknowledging that Mandhana carried the batting line-up single-handedly through tough phases. “Smriti played one of her best innings under pressure. We just fell short at the end,” Kaur admitted in the post-match presentation. She also emphasized the importance of regrouping quickly for the remaining matches as India’s campaign balance now hangs delicately.

Kaur highlighted that the match could have gone either way, but small moments of inexperience cost India the result. “These are the kind of games that make us stronger as a team,” she added. The skipper’s comments echoed the dressing room’s mood—disappointed, but determined to fight back stronger in the upcoming fixtures.

Emotional Moment with the Fans

As the Indian team gathered after the match, Mandhana was seen holding back tears while addressing the cheering crowd. The fans in Indore had turned up in large numbers, waving flags and chanting her name throughout her innings. In a heartfelt gesture, she thanked them for their unwavering support. “The fans have been incredible. I wish we could’ve finished it for them,” she said, her voice breaking with emotion.

The defeat dealt a heavy blow to India’s semi-final hopes, while England sealed their spot in the knockout stages. Still, Mandhana’s valiant performance earned widespread admiration from cricket pundits and supporters alike, reminding everyone why she remains the backbone of Indian women’s cricket.