Women’s World Cup 2025, IND vs PAK: India Womens’ batting falters, but Kranti Goud’s superb 3-20 ensures a crucial win over Pakistan.
Brief Scores: India 247 (Harleen Deol 46, Diana Baig 4/69) beat Pakistan 159 (Sidra Ameen 81, Kranti Goud 3/ 20) by 88 runs.
Player of the Match: Kranti Goud (3/20)
India Women showcased their dominance once again, claiming their 12th successive win against Pakistan in women’s ODIs with a convincing 88-run victory in Colombo. Batting first, Harleen Deol top-scored with 46, while Richa Ghosh’s late fireworks added crucial momentum to take India to 247.
Defending the total, a brilliant bowling effort led by Kranti Goud and Deepti Sharma, who picked up three wickets each, bundled Pakistan out for 159. This win helps India rise to the top of the World Cup points table and secure two wins from as many matches in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025.
Talking Point: Richa Gosh’s demotion to No. 8 batting position
Richa Ghosh’s drop to No. 8 raised eyebrows, as it limited the impact of one of India’s best finishers. Known for her power-hitting and ability to change games, Richa should ideally bat at No. 6, where she can settle and then accelerate.
Sending all-rounders like Sneh Rana and Deepti Sharma ahead of her made little sense, especially on a tricky pitch. With a strike rate of 175 today, she showed what she’s capable of — and had she come earlier, India’s total could have been closer to 280 instead of 247.
Going forward, India must use Richa in her rightful role to make the most of her match-winning potential.
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Richa Ghosh carries India to 247 with late cameo
India’s innings in the first session swung between struggle and resurgence. Smriti Mandhana fell early, and captain Harmanpreet Kaur couldn’t make her start count, leaving India under pressure.
Harleen Deol steadied the innings with a patient 46, but with Jemimah Rodrigues and Deepti Sharma departing cheaply, the innings again drifted. It was Richa Ghosh’s fearless 20-ball 35 that revived the momentum, helping India reach a competitive 247.
For Pakistan, Diana Baig was outstanding with four wickets, while Rameen Shamim, Nashra Sandhu, and Sadia Iqbal kept things tight. Play was halted twice due to a swarm of flies at the R. Premadasa Stadium, but despite the interruptions, India managed to post a fighting total in this high-voltage World Cup clash.
Kranti Goud’s match-winning spell guides India to 88-run victory
India defended their total of 247 with a clinical bowling display, dismissing Pakistan for 159 in 43 overs to secure an 88-run win in Colombo. Kranti Goud was the star, claiming 3 wickets for just 20 runs in 10 overs, while Deepti Sharma also took 3 crucial wickets.
Despite Sidra Ameen’s (81) efforts, Pakistan struggled to build partnerships, and a few questionable calls added to their woes. India’s disciplined bowling ensured control throughout, with Goud’s incisive spell proving decisive in this high-stakes World Cup encounter.
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Statistical Highlights from IND vs PAK, Women’s World Cup 2025 game
- Smriti Mandhana has scored 959 runs in WODIs in 2025. It’s the second-highest tally in a calendar year in WODIs. Australia’s Belinda Clark leads the list with 970 runs back in 1997.
- Pratika Rawal has scored 736 runs in WODIs in 2025. She sits at no. 2 overall for runs scored in WODIs in 2025. Smriti Mandhana leads the list with 959 runs.
- Harmanpreet Kaur has managed to score just 74 runs in 5 WODIs, at an average of 14.80, against Pakistan. This is the second-worst average for a top-order (1-7) India Women batter against Pakistan Women in this format. Sulakshana Naik has the worst average (12).
- India Women lost their first 5 wickets for 159 runs. This is the fourth-lowest tally for the first five wickets for India against Pakistan in WODIs.
- Diana Baig registered the third-best figures (4-69) for Pakistan against India in WODIs.
- This is the first time that India were bowled out by Pakistan in WODIs.
- Pakistan Women have never registered an opening stand of 50+ runs against India Women in WODIs.
- Natalia Pervaiz & Sidra Amin added 69 runs for the 4th wicket. This is Pakistan’s 2nd best partnership for any wicket against India in WODIs.
- Sidra Amin became only the third Pakistan batter to register a fifty-plus score against India in WODIs.
- Sidra Amin became the first Pakistan batter to hit a six against India in WODIs.
- Sidra Amin registered the highest individual score (81) for Pakistan against India in WODIs.
- Pakistan failed to cross the 200-run mark. In 12 WODIs against India, they are yet to cross that landmark.
Points table scenario and what’s next?
With this comprehensive win, India moved to four points on the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 table, rising to first place in the group stage. The victory also boosts their net run rate, strengthening their position in the tournament. Pakistan, meanwhile, remain with zero points after losing both their matches and will need to bounce back quickly to stay in contention.
India will next face South Africa on October 9 in Visakhapatnam, while Pakistan’s next challenge comes against Australia on October 8 in Colombo.
12-0
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) October 5, 2025
Well played, 🇮🇳 #IndvPak
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