Hosts take a 6-2 lead in the multi-format series with five-wicket victory in the second ODI at Taunton
Match Report:
ScorecardDunkley, Cross shine as England edge past India
Sophia Dunkley has struck an unbeaten 73 in her maiden one-day international innings and Kate Cross claimed 5-34 as England's women clinched a five-wicket victory over India in a low-scoring thriller at Taunton.
The 22-year-old Dunkley put on 92 with Katherine Brunt, the biggest sixth-wicket partnership by England in ODI cricket, as they won with 15 balls remaining.
Brunt added a crucial 33 from 46 as England overcame the loss of early wickets and some strong bowling from India to take a 6-2 lead in the multi-format series.
England had started their chase shakily on a good hybrid pitch with Tammy Beaumont and Heather Knight falling for just 10 runs apiece.
But Dunkley, who made her ODI debut on Sunday, was able to hold her nerve despite her limited experience and dig in to see England over the line.
Lauren Winfield-Hill made a well-crafted 42 before the Yorkshire batter edged behind and Nat Sciver, who had become the fastest to 2,000 runs in terms of number of balls faced in the first ODI of the series, was dismissed for 19.
Amy Jones added a useful 28 before Dunkley, who had almost been run out early on, brought up her maiden ODI half-century off 62 balls.
"I was a bit nervous when we still needed 120-odd to win, however I thought it was amazing to see the likes of Sophia Dunkley and Brunty – a girl who has not batted in ODI cricket, and a girl who has batted a lot in ODI cricket – to put us over the line," Cross said.
Earlier Cross took five wickets for just 34 runs, her second ODI five-for, with India captain Mithali Raj again top-scoring for India, as they put on 221 after being sent in to bat.
Raj batted in similar fashion to the first ODI, making 59, but from a lengthy 92 deliveries as the tourists struggled to impose a significant total after the loss of the opening pair.
Raj notched up her 14th ODI 50 in England, more than any other Indian player, male or female, but struggled to push the scoring on, with five of the batters failing to make double figures.