Colombo: It was another chapter in India’s unbroken dominance over Pakistan on the World Cup stage. Under grey Colombo skies and on a tricky surface, India once again proved why they remain a formidable force in women’s cricket, defeating Pakistan by a commanding margin of 88 runs at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025. The win not only maintained India’s perfect 12-0 World Cup record against their arch-rivals but also marked their second straight victory in this year’s tournament.

Pakistan, on the other hand, were left reeling with their second consecutive defeat, unable to recover from India’s disciplined and ruthless bowling display that saw them bowled out for just 159 while chasing a target of 248.

After being put in to bat first by Pakistan captain Fatima Sana, India managed a modest but competitive 247. The total, though not intimidating on paper, proved more than enough thanks to a sensational spell from Kranti Gaud, who was deservedly named the Player of the Match.

The 24-year-old pacer from Andhra Pradesh delivered a masterclass in swing bowling, tearing through Pakistan’s top order with figures of 3 for 20. Her fiery opening burst left Pakistan in tatters early on, and though Sidra Amin fought valiantly with a gritty half-century, the lack of partnerships and India’s relentless pressure ensured Pakistan never came close to the target.

India’s innings – grit over glamour

India’s batting effort wasn’t all smooth sailing. On a surface with uneven bounce and movement, Pakistan’s bowlers exploited the early morning moisture to good effect. But India’s batters showed grit and patience. Harmanpreet Kaur’s side chose to value time at the crease over flashy strokeplay, knowing that runs on the board would be gold dust on a deteriorating pitch.

Young wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh once again played the role of the accelerator in the later stages, scoring a brisk 30 that proved crucial in pushing India past the 240 mark. Harmanpreet herself acknowledged that those 30 runs were “crucial” in giving the team the breathing space they needed.

“It wasn’t easy to bat on,” Harmanpreet said after the match. “We wanted to bat long and see how much we could get. It’s been raining and the pitch had some hold. Keeping wickets in hand was key. Richa then gave us 30 crucial runs. Right now, I’m happy we won. We just want to carry this momentum when we go back to India.”

Pakistan falter despite Sidra Amin’s fight

Pakistan’s chase began on shaky ground and never really recovered. Kranti Gaud’s fiery opening spell removed both openers cheaply and sent shockwaves through the Pakistan dugout. Her pace and accuracy were too much to handle as she set the tone early, forcing Pakistan into a defensive mindset.

Sidra Amin, however, stood tall amid the ruins. The opener battled through the testing conditions, showing solid temperament and classic stroke play to reach her fifty. Her 69-run partnership with Natalia Pervaiz for the fourth wicket briefly gave Pakistan hope. But once Pervaiz fell, Pakistan’s innings unraveled quickly.

Deepti Sharma continued her excellent form, picking up three wickets for 45 runs with her clever variations and control. Sneh Rana chipped in with two vital breakthroughs, including the key wicket of Amin, effectively sealing Pakistan’s fate.

From 120 for 4, Pakistan lost six wickets for just 39 runs, crashing to 159 all out — a total that reflected not just India’s superiority but Pakistan’s inability to capitalise on starts.

Kranti Gaud – the small-town hero making big headlines

For Kranti Gaud, the win was not just another match — it was a proud moment for her and her hometown. “Feels very good. Proud for me, and the people from my village. They’ve got a big screen up back home,” she said with a smile after the game.

Kranti revealed an interesting moment from her spell — when skipper Harmanpreet suggested removing the second slip as the pace was dropping. “But I insisted on keeping it, and it got us Riaz’s wicket,” she said. “My coaches tell me simple things, and I try to hold onto them.” That intuition paid off handsomely as Riaz’s edge flew straight to the fielder in the slip cordon, a breakthrough that turned the match further in India’s favour.

Her discipline, aggression, and cricketing smarts have quickly made her one of India’s most exciting young pace prospects — and this performance will only enhance her reputation.

Pakistan left searching for answers

Pakistan captain Fatima Sana admitted her side had let India off the hook with their bowling lapses. “We gave a lot of runs in the powerplay and conceded extras too,” she said. “That was the case at the death as well. We should have restricted them under 200. We went with specialist batters in the top five, but they need to step up. We must build long partnerships and assess conditions better.”

Sana, however, praised Sidra Amin’s effort. “Amin is hard-working, and I hope she continues to do well,” she added.

But the post-match tone from Pakistan was one of concern — the team now faces a steep climb to stay alive in the tournament, while India are riding high with confidence and momentum.

The road ahead

For India, this win not only reaffirms their all-round strength but also signals a side that has found rhythm early in the tournament. The bowlers look sharp, the batters are adapting to conditions intelligently, and the leadership unit seems clear-headed.

As the team heads back to India for their next leg of matches, they will look to capitalise on familiar home conditions and maintain their winning streak. For Pakistan, meanwhile, it’s back to the drawing board — they’ll need to regroup quickly if they hope to keep their World Cup hopes alive.

India’s emphatic 88-run victory was more than just another win; it was a statement — a reminder that in the biggest stages of cricket, when the stakes are highest, India continue to rise to the occasion.