When India and Pakistan face off in a World Cup, you just know there’s going to be drama, and today’s Women's World Cup 2025 clash in Colombo was no different. It was a day of gritty performances and momentum shifts, starting with India's battling innings to post 247. On a slow, tricky pitch, it was a true team effort, but the real fireworks came from Richa Ghosh's late cameo, which gave India a total they could defend with confidence.
Key Highlights
- ✓ India posted a competitive total of 247, thanks to a collective batting effort and a late surge.
- ✓ Richa Ghosh was the star with a blistering 35 off just 20 balls, providing crucial late momentum.
- ✓ Pakistan's run chase was rattled early by bowler Kranti Gaud, who claimed two quick wickets.
- ✓ Diana Baig was the standout bowler for Pakistan, finishing with impressive figures of 4/69.
- ✓ The match saw plenty of drama, including a controversial run-out, wasted reviews, and even a brief halt due to a swarm of bugs.
A Batting Innings Built on Contributions
Right from the toss, which Pakistan captain Fatima Sana won, opting to bowl first on a pitch with "some moisture," it was clear this wasn't going to be a straightforward run-fest. India’s openers, Smriti Mandhana (23) and Pratika Rawal (31), gave the team a solid platform with a 48-run partnership. They looked steady, but the Pakistani bowlers, especially Diana Baig, kept things tight.
The story of India's innings was one of starts that didn't quite convert into big scores. After the openers fell, the middle order had to dig in. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur fell for 19, but then Harleen Deol (46) and Jemimah Rodrigues (32) put together a crucial 45-run stand. They steadied the ship during a really challenging period when runs were hard to come by. Later, the senior all-rounders Deepti Sharma (25) and Sneh Rana (20) added another vital 42 runs for the sixth wicket.
It was a grind. In fact, India faced an incredible 154 dot balls during their innings, which just shows how tough it was to score freely. The pitch, having been under covers for 48 hours, wasn't coming onto the bat, as Jemimah Rodrigues pointed out. It was a classic case of building an innings brick by brick rather than with explosive power.
Richa Ghosh's Late Game-Changing Cameo
Just when it looked like India might fall short of a truly competitive score, in walked Richa Ghosh. And boy, did she change the tempo of the game. Her explosive knock of 35 came from just 20 balls and was exactly the "crucial impetus" India needed at the death. She clearly had the freedom to play her shots, a strategy that paid off beautifully.
Her innings was a whirlwind of power-hitting. She smashed a massive six over mid-wicket off Fatima Sana, a welcome sight for the Indian camp. Then, she took on Diana Baig, dispatching a juicy full toss straight down the ground for a four. In an over from Baig, she managed to plunder 13 runs, hitting a four and a six. It was this assault that propelled India from a decent score to a really challenging one of 247.
Of course, credit where it's due, the Pakistani bowlers put in a real shift. Diana Baig was relentless, ending with four wickets, while captain Fatima Sana backed her up with two. But Richa’s late surge ensured that the momentum was firmly with India heading into the break.
Bugs, Reprieves, and On-Field Drama
You can't have a match in Colombo without a bit of unexpected drama, can you? At one point, play was halted due to a swarm of insects! The recent rains had brought them out in full force, distracting the players enough that the ground staff had to come on with bug repellent. The game was paused for 15 minutes while the field was sprayed down.
That wasn't the only interruption to the flow. Jemimah Rodrigues had her heart in her mouth when she was given out caught behind, only for the buzzer to signal a no-ball from Diana Baig. It was a massive reprieve. She also survived a chaotic mix-up and a desperate dive to avoid being run out. These moments just added to the tension of the day.
The Chase Unravels Under Pressure
With 248 to win, Pakistan's chase got off to the shakiest of starts. The Indian pacers, Renuka Singh Thakur and Kranti Gaud, were probing and tidy from the get-go. India even lost a review on the very first ball of the innings, a sign of the high-stakes drama that was to unfold. The pressure was on immediately.
The first wicket fell in the most bizarre fashion. After a big LBW appeal was turned down, Muneeba Ali was caught short of her crease by a direct hit from Deepti Sharma. The third umpire reviewed it, and replays showed her bat was in the air when the stumps were broken. It was a dramatic, and for Pakistan, a devastating way to lose a wicket. What a moment!
Then, it was the Kranti Gaud show. She was simply brilliant, tightening the screws on the Pakistani batters. She first got Sadaf Shamas (6) with a simple caught-and-bowled. A few overs later, she struck again, getting Aliya Riaz (2) to edge one to Deepti Sharma at second slip. After that second wicket, Kranti was seen smiling and pointing to her captain, as if to say, "See, I told you." It was a moment of pure confidence and skill, leaving Pakistan reeling at 26/3.
Despite a few dropped catches from Richa Ghosh and some hesitation over reviews, India was firmly in the driver's seat. They conceded just 25 runs in the first 10 overs while picking up two key wickets, setting a dominant tone for the rest of the defense.
Conclusion
In the end, this high-pressure India vs Pakistan contest showcased India's depth and resilience. Their batting was a collective effort on a tough surface, with nearly every player chipping in. But it was Richa Ghosh’s fearless, game-changing cameo that truly lifted the team to a commanding total. Then, with the ball, Kranti Gaud’s early double-strike broke the back of Pakistan's chase, putting India in a position of complete control. It was a comprehensive performance that highlighted why India remains unbeaten against Pakistan in ODI history.
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