India Beat Pakistan by 88 Runs in Women’s World Cup 2025
In Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium, India delivered a commanding performance to defeat Pakistan by 88 runs, extending their unbeaten run against their arch-rivals to 12-0 in ODIs. India posted 247, with key contributions from Harleen Deol and Richa Ghosh as the batting looked to build on the platform set by the early batsmen.
What Went Right for India
India’s decision to bat first paid off on a pitch that slowed down as the innings progressed. Harleen Deol scored a measured 46, demonstrating patience at the crease while Richa Ghosh chipped in with 35 and crucial 30-run partnership contributions that steadied the innings. Harmanpreet Kaur, while not racing to a big score herself, emphasized the importance of building a total, noting that the pitch demanded careful accumulation and smart risk-taking. The team avoided a collapse on a surface that yielded slower breadbaskets of runs and ensured that the total was challenging for Pakistan.
“It wasn’t an easy pitch to bat on, but we wanted to bat longer and see how many we could get,” Harmanpreet said at the post-match presentation. The plan to preserve wickets and leverage late-order contributions proved pivotal as the middle order navigated the conditions with discipline.
Pakistan’s Run Chase and India’s Bowling Becomes the Difference
Pakistan’s chase never found the consistency needed on a track that offered assistance to the Indian bowlers. The visitors were 26/3 inside eight overs and eventually dismissed for 159 in 43 overs. Sidra Amin produced a brave 81 off 106 balls, while Natalia Pervaiz added 33 as the resistance began to fade against a disciplined Indian seam and spin attack.
Kranti Goud starred with 3/20, while Deepti Sharma claimed 3/45 and Shree Charani chipped in with 2/38, providing the breakthroughs India needed to keep Pakistan under pressure throughout the innings. Harmanpreet lauded the bowling unit, saying, “Our bowling was great. Kranti bowled really well, and Renuka helped with early breakthroughs. We created chances, though we did drop a few, and that’s part of the game. When you win, you’re happy.”
What the Win Means for India
With this victory, India not only strengthened their position at the top of Group standings but also maintained an aura of dominance in the ongoing World Cup. The captaincy of Harmanpreet Kaur continues to steer the side through challenging matches, and the squad’s depth provides confidence going forward. The team’s approach—balancing aggression with calculated risk—has translated into consistent performances against formidable opponents.
As Harmanpreet noted, the team now returns home with momentum. “There are a lot of areas to improve, but we’re happy we won. We go back to India, we know how the pitches play there, and we will look at the combinations and what team we need to play,” she said, signaling a thoughtful plan for the next fixtures and a clear commitment to building on this win.
Reaction and Context
The post-match brief included a nod to a respectful, hostilities-free environment as both sides adhered to a no-handshake policy at the toss and after the match—a nod to the evolving decorum in multi-team events. Harmanpreet’s message to Indian fans echoed the pride of a disciplined unit that has impressed through a mix of high-intensity fielding and measured batting with a healthy death-overs approach.
Looking Ahead
India now focuses on maintaining form on a variety of pitches, with the squad assessing how conditions at home in India might alter team selection and strategy. The blend of young talents like Harleen Deol, and experienced operators including Harmanpreet Kaur and Deepti Sharma, positions India well as they continue their pursuit of World Cup glory.
Bottom Line
India’s 88-run win over Pakistan in the Women’s World Cup 2025 at Colombo reinforced their status as title contenders, with a robust bowling display and careful batting strategy. Harmanpreet Kaur’s leadership and her message to fans back home captured the resonant mood: steady progress, unity, and a belief that the best is yet to come for this Indian team.
