Mandhana, Ghosh Power India to Dominant Win Over Pakistan
India delivered a polished all-round display to see off Pakistan comfortably, with Smriti Mandhana's fluent half-century setting the tone for the innings. Despite losing Shafali Verma cheaply early on, Mandhana counter-attacked with authority, striking nine boundaries and two sixes in her 44-ball 68 before falling to Rameen Shamim. Her 71-run knock came at a strike rate above 154, giving India the platform they needed after a slightly shaky start.
Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur played the perfect supporting role, compiling a composed 36 to keep the innings ticking along after Mandhana's departure. The middle order wobbled briefly with quick dismissals of Jemimah Rodrigues and Humairaa Fulmali, but Richa Ghosh once again proved her worth as a finisher, smashing a rapid 34 off just 17 balls studded with five fours and a six before eventually being bowled by Fatima Sana. Deepti Sharma and Sneh Rana added late runs to push India to a competitive total, ensuring the innings finished on a high note.
Deepti Sharma's Match-Defining Spell
If the batting laid the foundation, it was Deepti Sharma who dismantled Pakistan's chase completely. The all-rounder picked up five wickets with clever variations in pace and flight, consistently troubling the Pakistan batters throughout her spell. She also produced a sharp run-out that further tilted momentum firmly in India's favour, making her performance the standout of the match on either side.
Speaking after the game, Harmanpreet Kaur credited her senior players for stepping up when it mattered most, singling out Mandhana and Deepti for their consistent impact. She acknowledged that India felt some early pressure but settled once the top-order partnership took shape, and praised Ghosh's ability to adapt her role depending on match situations. The India captain also lauded her side's sharp fielding, noting how crucial clean catching is in the shortest format. Pakistan captain Fatima Sana, meanwhile, did not shy away from acknowledging the gap in performance, admitting her side would need to regroup quickly as they look ahead to their remaining fixtures in the series.