Kranti Gaud and Deepti Sharma starred as India maintained a perfect record in World Cup encounters. (Image: Sky Sports)
At the ICC Women's World Cup 2025, which was played at R.Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, the Indian women's cricket team, captained by Harmanpreet Kaur, defeated Pakistan by a resounding 88 runs in their second straight triumph. Choosing to bowl after winning the toss, Pakistan restricted India to 247 runs, but an all-round bowling performance by the Women in Blue demolished Pakistan’s batting lineup, bowling them out for just 159.
India’s batting, though steady, saw no individual fifty, with Harleen Deol top-scoring at 46 and a valuable late surge from Richa Ghosh (35*). For Pakistan, Sidra Amin’s 81 kept the chase alive for a while but lacked support, as bowler Kranti Gaud took 3 for 20 and Deepti Sharma matched her with three wickets of her own, earning Gaud the Player of the Match award for her vital breakthroughs.
The match also drew attention for the continued “no-handshake” stance. After starting in the Asia Cup 2025 (where the men’s team similarly refused handshakes against Pakistan), Harmanpreet Kaur and her squad once again skipped the tradition—first during the toss, and again after sealing victory, heading back to their dugout rather than greeting their opponents in customary fashion. In light of recent high-profile altercations in both men's and women's cricket, this nonverbal message highlights the persistent tensions between the national teams and governing boards.
Kranti Gaud: Earned Player of the Match after delivering a three-wicket stint with economical bowling.
Deepti Sharma: Kept pressure on Pakistan's hitters by taking three wickets as well.
Harleen Deol and Jemimah Rodrigues: Anchored India’s innings with composed batting.
Sidra Amin (Pakistan): Scored 81, providing resistance amid a faltering chase.
In the women's ODI World Cups, India has a 12-0 record against Pakistan and is still undefeated after this victory.
The absence of customary handshakes highlighted the off-field tensions and broader sporting rivalry, continuing a trend that mirrors recent political and sporting divides in Asia’s cricketing powerhouses. Despite the intense action and superb bowling during the match, neither captain made any public gestures before or after the game.
Disclaimer: The details in this article are compiled from verified news agency reports.
