India’s Unbeaten Run Against Pakistan Continues at the Women’s World Cup
The Indian women’s cricket team further reinforced its dominance over Pakistan by claiming an 88-run victory in their second match of the Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025. Held at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka, India extended its perfect record against its arch-rivals to 12 wins from 12 ODI encounters. The victory solidifies India’s position atop the World Cup standings after two convincing performances from the 2025 edition.
India’s innings: A quickfire finish from the lower order
Putting Pakistan into bat, India posted 247 all out, helped by a late flourish from Richa Ghosh. The 20-ball 35 from the young batter added crucial runs in the death overs, lifting India’s total beyond 235 to 247. Earlier, Harleen Deol contributed a mature 46 from 65 balls, anchoring the middle phase after the openers were dismissed early. The talking point of India’s innings, however, was the late-order surge that steadied the innings after a wobbly phase in the 25th to 45th overs.
Pakistan’s bowlers kept the Indian scoring in check in the middle overs, with Diana Baig returning 4/69 for the best figures for her side. The Indian batting line-up, despite the early dismissal of openers Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal, managed to stitch partnerships that kept the chase within reach though not without anxiety for the dugout.
Pakistan’s reply: A steady start but a sharp middle spell derails chase
Pakistan began with intent under overcast Colombo conditions, but India’s bowlers did not allow the chase to settle. Kranti Goud was the standout for India with a brilliant 3/20 in 10 overs, applying pressure at key times and breaking partnerships. Deepti Sharma (3/45) and Sneh Rana (2/38) complemented the spell, ensuring the run-rate stayed manageable and the pressure built as the innings progressed.
Sidra Amin produced a notable 81 off 106, attempting to anchor Pakistan’s innings, while Natalia Pervaiz played a supportive role with 33 off 46. The rest of the Pakistan lineup struggled to convert starts, and captain Fatima Sana fell for 2 off 15, underscoring the team’s difficulty in intact partnerships against India’s bowling unit.
Key turning points and India’s bowling depth
India’s bowlers demonstrated a balanced attack, mixing accuracy with pressure in the middle overs. Deepti Sharma and Sneh Rana chipped in with wickets at crucial junctures, ensuring there was no comfortable run accumulation for Pakistan. The fielding effort, though not the headline, was solid enough to limit boundaries and keep the chase out of sight for most of the innings.
What this win means for India in World Cup 2025
With this win, India sit on four points from two matches, topping the group table and signaling their intent to challenge for the title. Having defeated Sri Lanka in their tournament opener, the team has shown breadth in its batting lineup and the bowling unit’s ability to adapt to varying conditions. The win also highlights India’s depth, evidenced by Richa Ghosh’s explosive cameo and Harleen Deol’s steady contribution, providing alternate avenues to score when the top order is unsettled.
Looking ahead: India vs South Africa in Visakhapatnam
The next assignment for India is a home-venue clash against South Africa in Visakhapatnam on Thursday. The match offers another opportunity to sharpen strategies and build momentum as the tournament progresses. Expect captain Harmanpreet Kaur to coordinate an attack-minded approach complemented by a deep batting lineup, which has repeatedly demonstrated resilience in pressure scenarios.
Conclusion: A defining chapter in India’s World Cup journey
As India continues its march at the Women’s World Cup 2025, the sustained dominance over Pakistan adds to the growing confidence within the squad. The blend of youth and experience, combined with tactical bowling and crisp fielding, positions India as a serious contender in Colombo and beyond. The 12th win in as many ODI meetings between the teams is not just a statistic but a reflection of India’s consistent progress on the world stage.
