Woohooo!!!! 🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳

India started off their T20 World Cup campaign on a winning note, as they defeated rivals Pakistan by 64 runs at Edgbaston, Birmingham on 14^th June 2026. A convincing victory for the Women in Blue all thanks to Deepti Sharma’s class fifer and Smriti Mandhana’s half ton. This also happens to be Deepti’s career best figures 5/10. India versus Pakistan witnessed a crowd of 18,814, the highest ever in any group stage match in a Women’s T20 World Cup ever. Harmanpreet and the girls look determined to add another trophy in their cabinet and complete the winning set. 💙

Pakistan keep Indian batters in check 😟

Pakistan bowlers Sadia Iqbal and Tasmia Rubab put early pressure on the Indian batting unit, snapping key wickets of opener Shafali Verma and Jemimah Rodrigues. Pakistan had the upper hand initially as they reduced India to 18/2 in 3.2 overs.

Mandhana’s magic with the bat keeps India in the hunt 💪

When pressure seemed to have climbed up, Smriti Mandhana once again rose to the occasion. Having got two lives while batting, she made most of the opportunity to notch up a half ton in style. She laid the foundation for India’s charge ahead. She led from the front, with good shot selection… accumulated 68 in 44 balls, with nine fours and two sixes. In the process she also stitched a 91 runs partnership with skipper Harmanpreet Kaur. Together they dominated over the Pakistan bowlers and ensured the scoreboard kept ticking with runs.

Skipper Harmanpreet contributes a vital 36 runs 👏✊

Walking in at a crucial phase in the contest, skipper Harman brought intent, authority and calmness to the crease ensuring India had the momentum. With smart strike rotation, she put the bowlers on the backfoot. It was indeed a valuable and perfectly timed knock of 36 runs, with four boundaries that put India’s innings back on track.

Richa’s cameo knock brings the added zing to Indian’s total 👊

Control, innovation and power…aptly seen in Richa Ghosh’s batting. Her incredible cameo knock of 34 in just 17 balls, SR of 200 during the latter end of the contest helped India reach a fighting total. She played according to the scenario, piercing the gaps well putting her side in command. Her fierce approach and finisher’s ability gave her side the added boost.

India made 170/6 in their 20 overs. 

Deepti’s five-star show, Smriti’s outstanding catch 🤯

Deepti Sharma bowled impeccably well and struck twice in her first two overs, snapping up wickets of Gull Feroza and Ayesha Zafar, and in turn she only gave away five runs putting a lot of pressure on Pakistan early on in their innings. She stuck to her line and length, keeping things simple. Deepti has been phenomenal with the ball, picking wicket after wicket…a complete captain’s bowler thus ending up with a fifer, 5/10 in her four overs with an economy of just 2.5. Deepti thus becomes the highest wicket taker in T20 history (166 wickets) and won the Player of the Match award.   

Deepti bowled a flighted delivery outside the leg stump to Ayesha who tried to sweep, Smriti at short fine leg dived forward and took an excellent sharp catch to dismiss the batter for 12 runs.

Deepti strikes gold with a moment of brilliance, runs out Muneeba Ali ⚡️

Deepti’s magic form continued, this time in the field with a direct throw to dismiss the set batter Muneeba who was doing well in the middle for 41 runs. Her reflexes spoke volumes, as the ball came to her, she gathered it quickly and hit bulls’ eye at the keeper end.

Shree Charani grabs three wicket haul, Catches win matches ☝️

Left arm orthodox bowler Shree Charani put her hand up when the team needed her the most, picking key wickets at regular intervals and finishing her spell at 3/21 in four overs.

Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti were phenomenal in the field, holding onto everything that came their way. The skipper and her deputy got the Indian fans on the edge of their seats taking the catches of Fatima and Natalia reducing Pakistan to 79/6 in 12.1 overs. Then, Shreyanka Patil took a good low catch, a blinder at backward point to dismiss Rameen Shamim.

Within no time Pakistan crumbled and were all out for 106 in 17 overs handing India a victory by 64 runs in their first league game.

Brief Scores: India 170/6 in 20 overs (Smriti Mandhana 68; Fatima Sana 2/33) beat Pakistan 106 all out in 17 overs (Muneeba Ali 41; Deepti Sharma 5/10) by 64 runs