India Women posted a fighting total of 247 against Pakistan at Colombo’s R Premadasa Stadium. On a surface offering variable bounce and seam movement, Harleen Deol top scored with a calm 46 while Richa Ghosh late blitz lifted the total in the closing overs. Her unbeaten 35 from just 20 balls included two sixes and three boundaries that brought energy back to the innings. It was a gritty performance on a pitch that offered little comfort to stroke players. India men did not shake hand against Pakistan but against teams like Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
Smriti Mandhana began confidently but was trapped lbw by Fatima Sana’s inswinger for 23, and India lost momentum through the middle overs. Pakistan’s bowlers bowled to tight lines, forcing 78 dot balls inside 20 overs. The innings had its share of drama, including a 15-minute delay when a swarm of insects invaded the field, halting play while the ground staff fumigated the pitch. The interruption tested focus, but India’s lower order kept composure.
By the time Kranti Goud joined Richa, India had already lost key wickets, including Harmanpreet Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues. Yet the final overs brought an unexpected turnaround. Richa’s fearless hitting gave India their highest total without a fifty-plus stand in Women’s ODIs. The late charge changed the tone of the innings entirely and gave India a competitive total to defend under lights vs Pakistan.
Richa Ghosh’s late surge saves India’s innings
Richa Ghosh entered the crease in the 45th over with India struggling to accelerate. Her approach was fearless, timing her strokes cleanly and targeting the straight boundaries with precision. The right-hander read Diana Baig’s lengths early and punished every loose ball. In Baig’s 48th over, Richa smashed thirteen runs, turning the game’s tempo completely in India’s favor.
Her knock included a brutal slog over wide long-on and two crisp boundaries over cover. Richa showcased perfect balance, keeping her head still and body aligned through every stroke. It was a display of composure and confidence that India’s lineup needed in crunch time. The finishing overs impact proved decisive as India’s run rate surged in the final phase.
Batting at number eight reflected India’s strategy to extend their batting depth. With Sneh Rana struggling earlier, Richa’s cameo showed how lower-order hitters can redefine totals. She blended aggression with awareness, choosing her moments carefully rather than swinging recklessly. That maturity under pressure illustrated her growing importance in India’s middle order.
The technique behind her success
Richa’s method relied on power through timing rather than brute force. She used the bowler’s pace, relying on quick wrists and still hands. Her ability to hit both over extra cover and down the ground made her unpredictable. The calmness with which she faced short balls showed her control over pressure situations.
Her game awareness allowed her to rotate strike intelligently between big shots. She stayed deep in the crease to counter Baig’s slower deliveries effectively. The result was a strike rate above 170, rare for this venue’s conditions. This inning will be remembered as a textbook example of situational hitting in ODIs.
Harleen Deol anchors the middle order
Harleen Deol top score played the most crucial role in India’s stability. Coming in after the early dismissal of Mandhana, she absorbed pressure and built partnerships. Her 46 runs came through precise placement and well-judged risks, particularly against spin. She attacked Rameen Shamim with a bold six over midwicket but avoided unnecessary aggression otherwise.
At one point, India’s innings was stagnating with over seventy-eight dot balls faced. Harleen rotated the strike with calm determination, ensuring India didn’t collapse. Her 52-ball stand with Jemimah Rodrigues provided balance despite a slow run rate. Even though she fell to Shamim at long-on, her innings laid the foundation for Richa’s fireworks.
This knock revealed Harleen’s growing maturity in India’s batting core. On a pitch offering turn and bounce, her ability to adjust footwork was vital. She handled the spinners’ flight intelligently and picked singles off good deliveries. Her adaptability helped India recover from mid-innings pressure phases and prevented a lower total.
Rodrigues and Rana struggle against spin
Jemimah Rodrigues’ innings of 32 came with mixed results. She was reprieved on a no-ball but couldn’t capitalize for long. Her Jemimah Rodrigues cameo added some relief before a successful review overturned her lbw dismissal. Sneh Rana, promoted ahead of Richa, couldn’t find rhythm either, managing only 20 from 33 balls.
Pakistan’s spinners built relentless pressure through tight lines and clever arm-balls. The dot-ball accumulation highlighted India’s struggle to rotate strike. That phase nearly derailed India’s innings before Richa rescued it. For future matches, India’s focus must shift toward proactive batting in the middle overs.
Pakistan’s disciplined bowling and the insect interruption
Pakistan’s bowling performance combined patience with clever use of conditions. Diana Baig’s four-for was expensive but came at crucial stages. She dismissed key batters while maintaining good seam movement despite humidity. Fatima Sana’s control at one end kept India’s openers restricted from scoring freely.
Sadia Iqbal and Nashra Sandhu handled the spin duties with control and variation. Their Pakistan bowling plan revolved around forcing mistakes through dot-ball pressure. Iqbal’s arm-ball deceived Pratika Rawal, who played down the wrong line. Sandhu’s reviewed lbw against Rodrigues demonstrated Pakistan’s alertness and effective use of DRS.
Then came the bizarre scene at Khettarama. A swarm of insects invaded the field, halting play mid-innings. Ground staff rushed in with fumigation equipment to clear the area. Players covered their faces as the air filled with repellent smoke. After fifteen minutes, the match resumed, and India’s lower order showed renewed focus.
Tactical takeaways for bowlers
Pakistan’s bowlers maintained intensity even after the delay. Their consistency in line and length limited boundaries effectively. They forced batters to play across the line, extracting errors from impatient shots. Fielding adjustments near the boundary helped cut off late-innings runs.
Baig’s 4-69 may seem expensive, but her breakthroughs kept India in check. Her wicket of Harmanpreet and later spells against set batters were timely. Pakistan’s spinners will take confidence from how they contained India for long stretches. If they chase well, this could be a turning point in the group stage.
Handshake uncertainty and political undertones
Off-field issues again hovered over this India vs Pakistan clash as Indian men’s team did against Pakistan. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia avoided confirming whether the women’s teams would shake hands post-match. He reiterated that India’s stance toward the “hostile country” remained unchanged. However, he emphasized that all play would follow “MCC regulations of cricket.”
Earlier, similar handshake controversies emerged during the men’s Asia Cup series. India’s refusal to accept the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi sparked debate across media. The incident delayed presentations and strained relations between cricket boards. Saikia clarified that the women’s team would only adhere to official cricket protocols.
So far, players have stayed silent, focusing instead on preparation and performance. The emphasis within both teams remains on cricket rather than symbolic gestures. As Harmanpreet team tactics guide India, composure under scrutiny will be critical. This ongoing tension adds another layer to an already high-pressure rivalry.
Focus remains on cricket
Regardless of politics, players’ focus will remain on the field. Both sides have committed to playing within regulations and avoiding distractions. The respect between athletes often transcends external diplomatic noise. Fans, however, continue to watch these gestures closely during post-match moments.
Cricket authorities hope the match concludes smoothly without further controversy. With global viewership rising for women’s tournaments, the spotlight grows brighter each week. India’s consistency against Pakistan continues to fuel headlines beyond the scoreboard. Yet as Saikia noted, cricketing conduct will prevail over political emotion.
Conclusion
India’s 247 stands as a determined total shaped by grit and adaptability. Richa Ghosh late blitz and Harleen Deol top score defined two ends of the innings. Pakistan’s bowlers executed disciplined lines, keeping the contest balanced despite a few expensive overs. The brief insect delay Colombo added drama but didn’t break India’s momentum.
For India, Richa’s cameo highlights the growing value of lower-order hitters. Such finishing ability can transform modest totals into match-winning ones under pressure. Harleen’s measured innings provided stability, showing India’s depth even when senior players struggled. Together, their efforts formed a balanced and resilient batting performance.
The handshake question may dominate headlines, but cricket remains the real focus. BCCI’s stance ensures all protocols will be followed, keeping attention on the sport itself. The match in Colombo symbolized both rivalry and professionalism amid external noise. India’s innings, shaped by patience and late power, now challenges Pakistan’s chase.
For deeper context on regional rivalries, see the India vs Bangladesh timeline. It explains how subcontinental rivalries influence pressure games like this one. With both teams eyeing crucial points, fans await the chase that could shape the group standings decisively.
