Explore how India’s bowlers led the charge in a gripping match against Pakistan in Colombo. Read about the standout moments and player performances.
Introduction
India asserted their dominance yet again in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 with a comprehensive 88-run victory over Pakistan at Khettarama, Colombo. The triumph extended India’s flawless ODI streak against their arch-rivals to 12 consecutive wins, powered by a sharp all-round display and a match-winning spell by seamer Kranti Goud. With this win, India surged to the top of the points table, ahead of Australia, while Pakistan slid further after two straight losses in the tournament.
Confident Start, Early Wobbles for India
India were put to bat after Pakistan captain Fatima Sana chose to bowl first on a slow, sticky pitch. Indian openers Pratika Rawal and Smriti Mandhana looked promising, stitching together a valuable opening stand of 48, but both fell in quick succession as Pakistan’s bowlers found seam and movement. Harleen Deol anchored the innings with a patient 46, facing 65 balls and taking her side past the hundred mark, but struggled to convert dots into singles, testing the nerves of Indian fans and coaches alike.
Jemimah Rodrigues chipped in with a handy 32, while Harmanpreet Kaur’s early dismissal added pressure. Deepti Sharma and Richa Ghosh resurrected the lower order, with Ghosh providing an invaluable late burst—35* off 20 balls—that propelled India to a defendable total of 247. The death overs, though marked by frequent wickets, also witnessed crucial boundaries and a six from Ghosh, highlighting her rising stature as India’s finisher.
See also:Â Deepti Sharma Stars as India Begins World Cup 2025 With a Strong All-Round Display
Pakistan’s Bowling Effort and Missed Chances
Pakistan’s disciplined attack prevented India from posting a mammoth score. Diana Baig led the bowling charts with 4 for 69, consistently troubling Indian batters with her swing and accuracy. Fatima Sana supported with 2 for 38, while Sadia Iqbal and Nashra Sandhu chipped in economically. Their efforts were somewhat undermined by moments of sloppy fielding, including dropped catches and misfields, providing India a lifeline, especially in the final overs.
Despite these lapses, Pakistan managed to restrict India under 250—a respectable achievement given the attacking intent of Richa Ghosh and Jemimah Rodrigues. As the innings closed, observers felt Pakistan had given themselves a fighting chance at chasing 248.
Goud’s Strikes Turn the Tide
Pakistan’s chase began cautiously, but the tone soon shifted as India’s bowlers discovered rhythm with the new ball. Seamer Kranti Goud emerged as the hero, striking at vital moments and pegging back Pakistan’s hopes repeatedly. Her spell of 3 for 20, marked by disciplined line and clever seam movement, decimated Pakistan’s middle order.
Goud removed set batter Natalia Pervaiz, breaking a crucial partnership and opening the floodgates for further wickets. Her ability to persist with one slip—a tactical move that paid off with a sharp catch—highlighted her confidence and strategic acumen. Sneh Rana and Deepti Sharma backed up Goud superbly, sharing five wickets between them and ensuring relentless pressure on the Pakistani batters.
Sidra Amin Lone Warrior for Pakistan
While wickets tumbled regularly at one end, opener Sidra Amin stood tall with a defiant 81 off 106 balls—the highest score of the match. Amin’s restraint, coupled with flashes of aggression (including Pakistan’s first ODI six against India), gave Pakistan fleeting hope during a 69-run partnership with Pervaiz. She remained determined, counterattacking and farming the strike as partners struggled to settle.
Despite Amin’s heroics, a lack of support and frequent wickets at the other end made the chase an uphill battle. Sneh Rana’s removal of both Fatima Sana and Sidra Nawaz proved critical, and Deepti Sharma’s three wickets wrapped up the tail, closing the match with Pakistan at 159 all out in 43 overs.
Fielding, Drama, and Rivalry Intensity
The high-stakes contest saw drama beyond just bat and ball. Cramped singles, tactical reviews, and the pressure of an iconic rivalry made for a rollercoaster. India’s fielding, though not perfect, was sharper than Pakistan’s, with Radha Yadav and Smriti Mandhana taking crucial catches.
The no-handshake policy between teams persisted after the match, underscoring the intensity of the rivalry. Both captains, Harmanpreet and Sana, focused on their respective teams, keeping post-match interactions minimal in a gesture loaded with meaning for both nations.
India’s Winning Formula and World Cup Aspirations
With this victory, India established themselves as the leading title contenders. Key takeaways were the emergence of depth in pace bowling, especially Kranti Goud’s ability to strike early and break partnerships, and the resilience of their lower order. Deepti Sharma’s steady all-round presence and Richa Ghosh’s finishing prowess have given India a balanced look—a feature that sets them apart this World Cup.
Sitting atop the points table, India will look to maintain this momentum through the group stages, banking on their unbeaten streak and a combination of effective seamers and versatile spinners. For Pakistan, introspection awaits—batting collapses and fielding lapses need addressing if they are to revive their campaign and push for knockout qualification.
