Colombo: India stamped their dominance in the 2025 ICC Women’s ODI World Cup with a resounding 88-run victory over arch-rivals Pakistan at the R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur hailed her bowlers for setting up the emphatic win and expressed delight that “everyone back home is happy as well.”
On a slow, rain-affected surface, India managed to post a challenging 247-run total, anchored by disciplined batting and a late flourish from Richa Ghosh, who scored a vital unbeaten 25. The bowlers then took charge, dismantling Pakistan’s chase for 159 all out, with Kranti Gaud and Deepti Sharma claiming three wickets apiece.
Harmanpreet praised her bowlers for executing the team’s plans to perfection. “Very happy, very important game for all of us, and I’m sure everyone back home is happy as well. Our bowling was great,” she said during the post-match ceremony.
“Kranti bowled really well, she was outstanding, and Renuka helped her in getting the breakthroughs. We created so many chances some we dropped but, in the end, winning is all that matters,” the captain added.
Reflecting on the batting effort, Harmanpreet admitted that the sluggish pitch made stroke-making difficult. “It wasn’t an easy pitch to bat on. We wanted to bat longer and see how many runs we could get. It’s been raining, and there was a bit of hold on the surface, so the key was keeping wickets in hand,” she explained.
She credited Richa Ghosh’s composed late cameo for adding valuable runs to India’s total: “Richa batted really well and gave us that crucial 30 runs that made the difference.”
The spotlight also belonged to Kranti Gaud, who delivered a dream spell of 3 for 20, earning the Player of the Match title. With her steady line and intelligent variations, she dismantled Pakistan’s middle order and dedicated her performance to her hometown Ghuwara in Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh.
“Feels very good. This is for the people from my village. They even set up a big LED screen to watch the match,” an emotional Kranti shared. She also revealed a tactical exchange with her skipper: “Didi (Harman) told me to remove one slip as the ball was older, but I asked her to keep it. My coaches always tell me to trust my instincts.”
Pakistan captain Fatima Sana conceded that her team allowed too many runs in crucial phases and failed to apply themselves in the chase. “We gave away too many runs in the powerplay and at the death. We should have restricted them under 200,” she said.
She, however, lauded Sidra Amin, who top-scored with a fighting 81, for her resilience. “Amin is hard-working; hope she continues to do well. But our top-five specialist batters need to step up, build partnerships, and adapt better to conditions,” Fatima added.
This victory marked India’s 12th win over Pakistan in Women’s ODIs, reaffirming their supremacy in the rivalry. The triumph also propelled India to the top of the World Cup points table, boosting their confidence as they prepare for the next leg of the tournament.
Looking ahead, Harmanpreet said the team’s focus will be on sustaining momentum. “There are areas we can improve, but we’re happy with how we played. Now we return to India, where we understand the conditions better. We’ll look at the combinations and play accordingly,” she noted.
India will next face South Africa in Visakhapatnam on October 9, followed by a crucial encounter against defending champions Australia at the same venue on October 12.
With their spirits high and their rhythm intact, Team India’s Women look poised to continue their charge toward World Cup glory buoyed by a proud nation watching every ball.