IND-W vs PAK-W: Mandhana’s 68 and Deepti’s Six-Wicket Haul Guide India to a 64-Run Victory

India Women began their ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign dominantly, defeating arch-rivals Pakistan Women by 64 runs at Edgbaston, Birmingham, on Sunday, 14th June. India secured a convincing victory in one of the biggest clashes of the tournament, owing to a complete team performance led by Smriti Mandhana’s classy half-century and Deepti Sharma’s sensational six-wicket haul.

India batted first and put up a daunting 170/6 in 20 overs. Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana led the way with a brilliant 68 off 44 balls, anchoring the innings with a blend of elegant strokeplay and controlled aggression. Her knock was the ideal platform for India after early setbacks and ensured the team carried on the momentum through the innings.

Captain Harmanpreet Kaur struck a useful 36, but it was wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh who provided the finishing flourish. Ghosh made a brisk 34 off 17 balls, attacking the Pakistan bowlers in the death overs and helping India cross the 170-run mark. Her late blitz proved crucial in pushing the total beyond Pakistan’s reach.
Pakistan struggled to build partnerships despite showing glimpses of promise in the early stages of the chase. Opener Muneeba Ali fought hard at the top of the order, but India’s disciplined bowling attack kept striking at regular intervals, never allowing the required run rate to come under control.

Deepti Sharma was clearly the star of the second innings. The seasoned all-rounder bowled a spell for the ages, claiming six wickets and almost single-handedly tearing apart the Pakistan batting line-up. Her impressive figures also earned her the Player of the Match honours and made her the leading wicket-taker of the tournament so far. Deepti had brilliant support from India’s bowlers, who never allowed the pressure to drop from either end, and sharp fielding completed the picture. In the end, Pakistan fell well short of the target, and India won the match by a comprehensive 64 runs.

The result gives Harmanpreet Kaur’s side a perfect start to their World Cup campaign and sends a strong message to the rest of the competition. With Mandhana’s match-defining 68 off 44 balls, Harmanpreet’s steady contribution, Richa Ghosh’s explosive 34 off 17 deliveries, and Deepti Sharma’s outstanding six-wicket haul, India ticked every box against Pakistan. The comprehensive 64-run victory at Edgbaston highlights India’s strength in both departments and reinforces their status as serious contenders for the Women’s T20 World Cup title.