India have recorded a four-run victory over England in the semi-finals of the T20 competition at the Commonwealth Games.
After losing the toss, England watched their opponents put on a 76-run partnership for the opening stand, Smriti Mandhana's knock of 61 off 32 balls ultimately proving to be the difference come the end of the contest at Edgbaston.
England rallied to restrict India to 106-3 with less than seven overs remaining, but Jemimah Rodrigues crucially remained at the crease to contribute 44 from 31 deliveries.
India posted 164-5 from their 20 overs, Freya Kemp the pick of the England bowlers with figures of 2-22, and the hosts would have felt relatively confident about chasing down the target.
England could be satisfied with their start, reaching 63-2 off just 6.2 overs, with Danni Wyatt recording 35 from 27 balls before losing her wicket cheaply.
With England on 81-3, India were the marginal favourites, but a 54-run fourth-wicket stand between Nat Sciver (41) and Amy Jones (31) kept their team in the match.
However, both players were eventually run out, a consequence of pressure building from India's fine bowling towards the end of the innings, and even a six from Sophie Ecclestone from the final ball of the innings still left England marginally short of India's total.
India now progress through to the final where they will play Australia or New Zealand, with England left to contest the bronze-medal playoff.
Darren Plant
