India, June 15 : India launched their ICC Women’s T20 World Cup campaign in emphatic fashion with a commanding 64-run victory over Pakistan at Edgbaston on Sunday, thanks to a historic bowling performance from star all rounder Deepti Sharma.
The experienced off spinner delivered a masterclass in spin bowling, registering remarkable figures of 5 for 10 in her four-over spell. Her outstanding effort not only dismantled Pakistan’s batting lineup but also secured a place in the record books as the best bowling performance by an Indian player in the history of the Women’s T20 World Cup.
The achievement marked another significant milestone in Deepti’s illustrious career. With her five-wicket haul, she became the leading wicket-taker in Women’s Twenty20 International cricket, surpassing Thailand’s Thipatcha Putthawong. Deepti now stands atop the all-time list with 166 wickets from 145 appearances, highlighting her consistency and impact in the shortest format of the game.
India’s bowlers took complete control of the contest after setting a competitive target of 171 runs. Pakistan’s chase never gained momentum as wickets fell at regular intervals. The Indian attack exploited the conditions effectively, with the pitch offering assistance to slower bowlers throughout the evening.
Pakistan opener Muneeba Ali showed resistance with a determined 41 runs from 35 deliveries, but she found little support from the rest of the batting unit. India’s disciplined bowling ensured that scoring opportunities remained scarce, gradually increasing pressure on the opposition.
Deepti proved nearly impossible to score against. Mixing flight, pace variations and accuracy, she consistently troubled the Pakistani batters. Her ability to attack the stumps and force mistakes played a crucial role in breaking the backbone of the chase.
Speaking after receiving the Player of the Match award, Deepti credited her approach to understanding the conditions and maintaining belief in her strengths.
She explained that the turning surface encouraged her to vary her pace frequently, making it difficult for the batters to settle. The spinner also highlighted the importance of patience, emphasizing that she remained confident even during periods when wickets were not coming her way.
Her spell was brilliantly supported by left-arm spinner Shree Charani, who claimed three important wickets while maintaining tight control. Charani’s contribution further exposed Pakistan’s struggles against spin and ensured that India remained firmly in command.
Shafali Verma also chipped in with a wicket as the Indian bowlers collectively restricted Pakistan to just 106 runs in 17 overs, sealing a comprehensive victory.
Earlier in the day, India’s batting unit laid the foundation for success through an impressive recovery after a shaky start. Losing two early wickets left the side under pressure, but vice-captain Smriti Mandhana responded with a composed and authoritative innings.
Mandhana played elegant strokes around the ground during her 68-run knock from 44 balls. Her innings combined timing, placement and aggression, allowing India to rebuild after the early setbacks.
The left-handed batter shared a crucial 91-run partnership with captain Harmanpreet Kaur. The stand not only stabilized the innings but also shifted momentum decisively in India’s favour. Harmanpreet contributed a valuable 36 runs, rotating the strike effectively while providing support to Mandhana.
As the innings progressed, India looked to accelerate in the closing stages. Wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh delivered the finishing touch with a powerful cameo that lifted the scoring rate dramatically.
Richa smashed 34 runs from only 17 deliveries, taking full advantage of the death overs. Her aggressive approach proved particularly effective in the penultimate over, where India collected a flurry of boundaries and valuable runs. The late assault propelled the team to a formidable total of 170 for 6.
Following the victory, Deepti acknowledged the contribution of the batting unit and praised the partnership between Mandhana and Harmanpreet for creating the platform that ultimately shaped the outcome of the match.
The result gives India a perfect start to their World Cup journey and significantly boosts their confidence for the challenges ahead. More importantly, it showcased the team’s balance, with both the batting and bowling departments delivering when required.
For Deepti Sharma, the match will be remembered as a landmark moment in her career. Achieving the status of the highest wicket-taker in Women’s T20I cricket while producing a record-breaking performance on the global stage underscores her value to Indian cricket.
As the tournament progresses, India will hope their senior all-rounder continues to lead from the front. If her performance against Pakistan is any indication, the team possesses the firepower and confidence needed to emerge as a serious contender for the Women’s T20 World Cup title.
The opening victory not only strengthened India’s position in the competition but also delivered a statement of intent. With key players finding form and records being rewritten, the campaign could hardly have begun in a more impressive manner.