India Dominates Pakistan in Women's World Cup Opener

India launched their Women's World Cup campaign with a commanding 64-run victory over Pakistan at Edgbaston. Despite the strong start, R Ashwin raised concerns about the team's depth compared to stronger opponents like England and Australia. Smriti Mandhana's impressive 68 runs and Deepti Sharma's five-wicket haul were key highlights of the match. As India prepares for their next game against the Netherlands, questions about their power-hitting capabilities linger. Discover more about the match and India's journey in the tournament.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 15, 2026, 15:39 IST

India's Strong Start in Women's World Cup

India kicked off their Women's World Cup campaign with an impressive victory, defeating Pakistan by 64 runs at Edgbaston. This win marks a crucial step for India, who are still in search of their first T20 World Cup title. Despite the successful start, R Ashwin expressed doubts about India's chances of advancing far in the tournament. He acknowledged the team's strong performance against Pakistan but pointed out that they lack the depth found in teams like England and Australia. Ashwin noted, 'I am uncertain if India will progress significantly in this T20 World Cup due to a deficiency in power-hitting capabilities. Although India excelled against Pakistan and their spin attack was effective, the overall depth of the team is a concern compared to stronger sides like England and Australia,' he stated on his YouTube channel, 'Ash ki Baat.'

Match Highlights: India vs Pakistan

In the match, India batted first, posting a total of 170-6 in their allotted 20 overs. Smriti Mandhana led the charge with a solid 68 runs, while Harmanpreet Kaur contributed 36 runs. Richa Ghosh's quickfire 34 off just 17 balls bolstered India's score. Pakistan started well but ultimately faltered, getting bowled out for 106 runs, with Deepti Sharma achieving a remarkable five-wicket haul. This performance made her the leading wicket-taker in Women's T20 Internationals, surpassing Thailand's Thipatcha Putthawong's record of 165 wickets.

India is competing in Group A, which includes Australia, Bangladesh, Netherlands, South Africa, and Pakistan. Their next match is scheduled against the Netherlands on June 17.