India Maintain Dominance Over Pakistan in Women’s World Cup Showdown
India continued their formidable run against Pakistan, sealing a comprehensive 88-run victory in Colombo to register their 12th successive win in women’s ODIs against their arch-rivals. The victory also propelled India to the top of the points table, underscoring a consistent performance across formats this season.
Kranti Gaud Stars with a Memorable Player of the Match Performance
Kranti Gaud was adjudged Player of the Match for a disciplined spell of 3/20 in ten overs. After the game, Gaud spoke about the pride of her village backing her performance on a big LED screen that lit up the area for fans. “Feeling really good that I’m the Player of the Match in a World Cup match. People in my village would be proud,” she said, highlighting the personal significance of the moment. Her coach’s guidance and her own instincts combined to keep a crucial slip in place when needed, as indicated by her reflection on a prior suggestion from Harmanpreet Kaur. The dismissal of the Pakistan innings skewed the momentum in India’s favor, with Gaud playing a central role in applying pressure during the middle overs.
Key Moments: India’s Bowling Clinches the Win
Deepti Sharma’s sharp bowling was a standout feature of India’s control, earning her the third wicket of the Pakistan innings. She dismissed Rameen Shamim for a golden duck, a breakthrough that amplified India’s advantage in the middle overs. The spell reshaped the chase as Pakistan, chasing 248, found the going tough against a disciplined Indian attack.
Pakistan’s Fight but Too Little, Too Late
Pakistan’s chase stuttered from the outset, with early wickets piling pressure on their top order. Sidra Amin offered a resilient 79*, and Fatima Sana looked to anchor an ambitious chase, but the run-rate continued to climb as Indian bowlers tightened their lines. Deepti Sharma and Renuka Singh worked in tandem to stifle the Pakistan innings, and India’s fielding efforts—tolerant of the tricky Colombo conditions—kept the required rate out of reach for Pakistan’s middle-to-lower order.
What This Win Means for India
Beyond the margin of victory, the win reinforces India’s position as a title contender in the Women’s World Cup. The depth in India’s bowling attack, led by fast bowlers and supported by shrewd spinners, ensures that chasing teams must navigate a range of threats. India’s batting lineup, anchored by experienced leaders, has shown the ability to set challenging totals and defend them with attacking field placements.
Looking Ahead
As the tournament progresses, India will aim to sustain momentum and sharpen their plans against different opponents. The squad’s balance—between youth and experience—offers a strong foundation for a long campaign, with Player of the Match performances like Gaud’s providing a boost to the team’s confidence. Fans in both countries will be eager to see how India carries this 12-0 streak into future fixtures.
