Heather Knight England captain Heather Knight opted to bat first after winning the toss against India in a high-stakes Women’s World Cup match, marking the return of key bowlers Sophie Ecclestone and Lauren Bell. India, meanwhile, made a bold call by dropping Jemimah Rodrigues and bringing in Renuka Singh to bolster their pace department.
Ecclestone’s return from injury is a major boost for England, whose bowling struggled in her absence. Alongside Bell, the left-arm spinner’s inclusion provides England with a balanced attack, capable of troubling India’s strong batting lineup.
For India, Renuka’s inclusion adds swing and seam options, though her entry at the cost of a reliable batter like Jemimah signals a tactical shift. With Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma expected to anchor the chase later, India’s focus seems to be on early breakthroughs with the ball.
Fans packed the stands early, anticipating another fierce contest between two tournament heavyweights. Both sides are eyeing the top spot in the standings as World Cup pressure continues to mount.
