India Rattled Early as Mandhana Falls in Crucial World Cup Clash vs Pakistan

In a riveting encounter at the ICC Women's ODI World Cup 2025, India faced arch-rivals Pakistan at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on October 5, 2025. Pakistan captain Fatima Sana won the toss and elected to bowl first, aiming to exploit early moisture on the pitch under cloudy skies. The pre-match tension was palpable, as Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and Sana notably refrained from shaking hands during the toss, continuing a trend of frosty relations between the two teams amid ongoing geopolitical strains. With a 20% chance of rain looming, the match promised drama both on and off the field, as India looked to extend their unbeaten 11-0 record against Pakistan in women's ODIs.

India's openers, Pratika Rawal and Smriti Mandhana, started aggressively despite the challenging conditions. Rawal set the tone early, smashing three consecutive boundaries off Diana Baig in the second over to propel India to 20/0. Mandhana, known for her elegant strokeplay, joined in with a couple of fours, helping the team reach 45/0 by the eighth over. However, Pakistan fought back with tight bowling, and a notable incident occurred when Fatima Sana appeared to twist her ankle mid-over, requiring brief medical attention. The Pakistani bowlers, including spinners Sadia Iqbal and Rameen Shamim, kept the pressure on, restricting free scoring and forcing errors from the Indian batters.

The turning point came in the ninth over when Sana trapped Mandhana LBW for 23 off 32 balls. India opted for a DRS review in a bold gamble, but ball-tracking confirmed the decision—three reds sealing Mandhana's fate and leaving fans stunned. This dismissal disrupted India's momentum, with the score at 48/1. Debutant Harleen Deol stepped in and announced her arrival with a boundary off her first ball, followed by a six in the 14th over to push India to 63/1. Rawal, meanwhile, anchored the innings with a composed 31 off 37 balls, including several boundaries, as the team aimed to rebuild.

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As the match progressed into the 15th over, Pakistan struck again when Sadia Iqbal bowled Rawal after she had just hit a four, further denting India's top order. With Harleen Deol and captain Harmanpreet Kaur now at the crease, India faced the task of steadying the ship against a resurgent Pakistani attack. The bowlers' figures highlighted Pakistan's discipline: Sana claimed 1 wicket, while Iqbal's spin proved effective. This early wicket burst has put India under pressure, but their deep batting lineup, including stars like Jemimah Rodrigues and Deepti Sharma, offers hope for a strong total in this crucial group-stage fixture.

Overall, the game underscores the intense rivalry between the two nations, with off-field narratives adding to the spectacle. India, favorites after a convincing win over Sri Lanka in their opener, must navigate Pakistan's spirited challenge to maintain their World Cup aspirations. As the innings unfolds, all eyes will be on whether Harmanpreet Kaur can lead a comeback or if Pakistan can capitalize on their early breakthroughs for a historic upset.

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