India Crush Pakistan by 64 Runs in T20 World Cup Opener
Holding an extreme view and carting the ball out of the park is what interests him most. He is a hard hitter at all times. Fasten your seatbelts and read.
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By Slogger
First publised on 2026-06-15 08:55:33
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Holding an extreme view and carting the ball out of the park is what interests him most. He is a hard hitter at all times. Fasten your seatbelts and read.
View all posts by this Author
India's women's cricket team could hardly have asked for a better start to their ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 campaign. In front of a packed Edgbaston crowd in Birmingham, Harmanpreet Kaur's side delivered a clinical all-round performance to overpower arch-rivals Pakistan by 64 runs and send an early warning to the rest of the tournament.
The victory was built on two outstanding individual performances. Smriti Mandhana provided the batting masterclass, while Deepti Sharma produced one of the finest bowling displays in Women's T20 World Cup history.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, India suffered a slightly shaky start, losing early wickets. However, Mandhana once again demonstrated why she remains one of the most dependable batters in world cricket. Her elegant 68 off just 44 deliveries, studded with boundaries and fearless strokeplay, laid the foundation for a formidable total. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur played the ideal supporting role with a composed 36, and together they stitched a crucial 91-run partnership that steadied the innings.
Just when Pakistan appeared to have regained some control, wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh unleashed a breathtaking late assault. Her 34 runs from only 17 balls transformed a good total into an imposing one as India finished on 170 for 6 from their 20 overs. On a ground where the average first-innings score is significantly lower, the target looked daunting from the outset.
Pakistan's reply initially offered hope to their supporters. The openers attacked positively and recorded their best-ever powerplay against India in women's T20 internationals. Muneeba Ali looked particularly fluent and appeared capable of anchoring the chase. At 52 for 1, Pakistan briefly seemed to be in the contest.
Then Deepti Sharma took over.
The experienced all-rounder produced a spell that completely altered the complexion of the match. Combining accuracy, subtle variations and intelligent use of flight, Deepti dismantled Pakistan's middle order. Her figures of 5 for 10 were not only her career-best in T20 internationals but also one of the most remarkable bowling performances ever produced by an Indian woman against Pakistan on the world stage. She also effected a crucial run-out, removing Muneeba Ali after the batter had scored 41.
Once Deepti struck, Pakistan's innings unravelled rapidly. From a position of relative comfort, they collapsed dramatically, losing wickets at regular intervals and eventually being bowled out for 106. Left-arm spinner Shree Charani provided excellent support with three wickets, ensuring there would be no recovery.
Beyond the scoreline, the victory carried broader significance for Indian cricket. India entered the tournament among the favourites, but opening matches often bring pressure and uncertainty. Defeating Pakistan comprehensively not only secured two valuable points but also boosted India's net run rate, a factor that often proves decisive in World Cup group stages.
The match also highlighted the growing strength of India's women's cricket structure. The impact of the Women's Premier League is increasingly visible in the confidence, depth and professionalism of Indian players. Whether it was Mandhana's authority at the crease, Ghosh's explosive finishing or Deepti's match-winning spell, India displayed a level of composure that comes from regular exposure to high-quality competition.
Equally noteworthy was the atmosphere at Edgbaston. A crowd of more than 18,000 spectators turned up for the marquee clash, creating a vibrant spectacle and underlining the growing popularity of women's cricket globally. The attendance set a new benchmark for the tournament and demonstrated that women's cricket is rapidly becoming one of the sport's biggest attractions.
For Pakistan, the defeat exposed familiar weaknesses - fielding lapses, an inability to sustain pressure with the ball and a middle-order collapse when the chase demanded resilience. For India, however, the evening was close to perfect.
The road to the World Cup title remains long, but this emphatic victory has sent a powerful message. India are not merely participants in this tournament; they are genuine contenders. If Mandhana continues to dominate with the bat and Deepti Sharma maintains this level of excellence with the ball, the Women in Blue will take some stopping.
The campaign has begun in ideal fashion. The challenge now is to sustain the momentum and convert promise into a world title.
