Deepti, Mandhana Power India to Victory Over Pakistan in Group One

June 19, 2026 5 min read

Smriti Mandhana cracked a composed half-century and Deepti Sharma delivered a match-winning spell with the ball as India defeated Pakistan by a convincing margin in their Group One encounter. The victory gives India a strong footing in the tournament standings and keeps their campaign on track with key matches still to come.

Mandhana Anchors the Innings

Mandhana walked out to open the batting and immediately set the tone for India's innings. She mixed caution with aggression, rotating the strike effectively while punishing loose deliveries to the boundary. Her innings of 74 runs provided the backbone of India's total, allowing the middle order to play with freedom around her. The left-hander's ability to find gaps in the field and work the ball into spaces meant Pakistan's bowlers never found real momentum against her. She departed in the 38th over, lbw to Fatima Sana, but by then India had built a commanding platform.

The opening partnership with Shafali Verma added 52 runs inside the first ten overs. That aggressive start gave India the momentum they needed, with Mandhana shifting gears smoothly once the powerplay ended. She reached her fifty off 61 balls, a measured effort that reflected the demands of the situation rather than any pressure from the opposition.

Deepti's Match-Winning Spell

While Mandhana's batting drew the applause, it was Deepti Sharma who turned the match decisively in India's favour during the chase. The left-arm spinner returned figures of 4 for 19 in her eight overs, strangling Pakistan's chase with tight bowling and well-disguised variations. Her ability to turn the ball both ways troubled the Pakistani batters throughout their innings, and she removed the key middle-order resistance when India needed it most.

Building Pressure Through the Middle Overs

Pakistan's chase began shakily, losing two early wickets to the new ball. When they attempted to rebuild through a steadying partnership, Deepti was brought into the attack and immediately altered the game's momentum. She bowled 23 dot balls in her spell, building pressure that eventually told on the scoreboard. Her fourth wicket came when Pakistan were desperately trying to accelerate, a tactical blow that effectively ended their hopes of reaching the target.

India's fielding supported her efforts throughout. Two sharp run-outs in the outfield, combined with Deepti's accuracy, meant Pakistan never found the rhythm needed to threaten India's total. The pitch, which offered some turn as the innings progressed, suited her style perfectly and she exploited every variation the surface provided.

India's Total Proves Too High

After Mandhana's dismissal, Harmanpreet Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues added a brisk 45 runs to push India past a competitive total. Rodrigues, in particular, accelerated sharply in the final five overs, clubbing two sixes over midwicket to lift the run rate when Pakistan might have hoped to contain the damage. India finished their 50 overs at 267 for 7, a total that always looked challenging on a pitch where run-scoring became progressively harder.

Pakistan's reply never truly got going. The early loss of Gull Feroza for a duck in the second over set them back, and despite Nida Dar's 31 runs down the order, the required rate climbed beyond what their remaining batters could sustain. Their innings folded in the 46th over, finishing at 198 all out.

Rivalry Renewed on the Field

Matches between India and Pakistan carry an intensity that transcends standard cricket contests, and this encounter at the regional tournament delivered on that reputation. The stands were packed with supporters from both nations, creating an atmosphere that players from both sides described as electric. For Indian fans watching from across the country, a victory over Pakistan carries significance that goes beyond tournament points and group standings.

The two teams have met several times in recent years across different formats, but the women's cricket rivalry has grown particularly sharp since their last meeting 14 months ago. Pakistan entered this match knowing they needed an upset to stay alive in the tournament, while India were clear favourites but understood the dangers of underestimating a wounded opponent. The scoreline reflected India's superiority on the day, though Pakistan's bowlers, particularly Sadia Iqbal, made India work harder than some had predicted.

What This Means for Group One

India's victory moves them to the top of Group One with two wins from two matches. Australia, their next opponents, remain unbeaten as well, setting up a crucial encounter that will likely determine who finishes first in the group. That match, scheduled for three days' time at the same venue, will carry significant weight for both teams' semifinal positioning.

For Pakistan, the loss complicates their path forward considerably. They must now win their remaining group matches and hope other results go their way to qualify for the semifinals. Their next fixture comes against New Zealand in four days, a match they cannot afford to lose if they harbour ambitions of progressing deeper into the tournament.

Player Ratings and Performances

Mandhana's 74 earned her the player of the match award, her third such honour in international play over the past year. Deepti's 4 for 19 was equally impactful, a reminder of why she remains India's premier spin option in women's cricket. Among the Pakistani bowlers, Sadia Iqbal finished with 3 for 38 and troubled India's middle order throughout her spell, while Nida Dar's 31 with the bat represented their only meaningful contribution with the willow.

The India women's cricket team will assess this performance with some satisfaction but also look to address concerns about their lower-order batting, which showed fragility when pressed by Pakistan's attack. Those issues will need attention before the Australia clash, where stronger opponents are likely to expose similar weaknesses.

India's next match against Australia begins at 9:30 AM local time on Friday. Both teams remain unbeaten in Group One, and the winner will take a significant step toward securing a favorable semifinal draw.