Smriti Mandhana’s brilliance, Harmanpreet Kaur’s composure, Richa Ghosh’s late fireworks, and Deepti Sharma’s devastating five-wicket haul powered India Women to a commanding 64-run victory over Pakistan Women in a one-sided contest that showcased India’s strength in every department.
India’s innings was built on a foundation of positive intent and aggressive strokeplay, but it was the partnership between Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur that truly shifted the momentum in India’s favor. After a few early setbacks, the experienced duo steadied the innings before accelerating with authority, frustrating the Pakistani bowlers and ensuring India remained in complete control.
Mandhana was at her elegant best, producing a classy knock of 68 from 44 deliveries, striking nine boundaries and two sixes. Her timing and placement were exceptional, allowing India to maintain a healthy scoring rate throughout the middle overs. At the other end, captain Harmanpreet Kaur played the perfect supporting role with a mature 36-run innings, rotating strike effectively and punishing loose deliveries whenever the opportunity arose.
The partnership laid the ideal platform for a late assault, and Richa Ghosh delivered exactly that. Walking in during the closing stages, the wicketkeeper-batter unleashed a breathtaking cameo of 34 from just 17 balls, smashing five boundaries and a six at a strike rate of 200. Her fearless approach ensured India finished strongly on 170/6 in 20 overs, a total that looked challenging under pressure.
Pakistan began their chase with hope but quickly found themselves under immense pressure from India’s disciplined bowling attack and electric fielding unit.
While the bowlers consistently hit the right areas, it was India’s fielding that elevated the performance to another level. The Indian players were sharp, energetic, and relentless in the field, turning half-chances into wickets and denying Pakistan crucial runs.
Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur, and Jemimah Rodrigues produced outstanding catches, each moment drawing loud reactions from teammates and putting further pressure on the opposition. Their safe hands reflected the high standards India maintained throughout the match and highlighted the growing importance of fielding in modern women’s cricket.
Once Pakistan’s top order began to crumble, Deepti Sharma took complete control.
The experienced all-rounder delivered one of the finest bowling spells of the tournament, dismantling Pakistan’s batting lineup with remarkable precision. Deepti finished with sensational figures of 5 wickets for just 10 runs in her four overs, consistently breaking partnerships and ensuring Pakistan never built any momentum during the chase.
Her variations, accuracy, and calm execution proved too much for the Pakistani batters, who struggled to find answers against her disciplined bowling.
Pakistan were eventually bowled out for 106 in 17 overs, with wicketkeeper-batter Muneeba Ali’s 41 being the lone significant contribution. Beyond that, India’s bowlers and fielders kept the pressure firmly applied, refusing to allow any resistance to develop.
The result underlined India’s dominance across all three departments. The batting unit delivered a competitive total, the fielders produced several game-changing moments, and the bowling attack finished the job emphatically.
Player of the Match
🏆 Deepti Sharma (India Women) 5/10 in 4 overs
While Mandhana’s stylish fifty, Harmanpreet’s leadership, and Richa Ghosh’s explosive finishing played crucial roles, Deepti Sharma’s extraordinary spell ultimately defined the contest and earned her the Player of the Match award. India Women
India’s all-round display served as a statement performance, demonstrating why they remain one of the strongest sides in women’s cricket. With bat, ball, and in the field, the Women in Blue showcased excellence and left Pakistan with no way back into the contest.
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