Women's T20 World Cup: Mandhana's 68, Deepti's fifer help India bulldoze Pakistan in campaign opener

India women rode on Smriti Mandhana's regal fifty and Deepti Sharma's sizzling fifer to hammer Pakistan by 64 runs in their T20 World Cup 2026 opener on June 14.

India hammer Pakistan in T20 World Cup campaign opener

India first posted a competitive total of 170, thanks to Mandhana's solid 64 and Richa Ghosh's lightning blistering 17-ball 34. In reply, Pakistan had no answer to Deepti Sharma's superlative 5/10 as they were eventually bundled out for a paltry 106.

After playing a crucial role in a priceless 45-run partnership with Richa Ghosh, Deepti Sharma was completely in her element with the ball. She delivered a masterful performance, picking up a career-best 5 for 10 in her four overs, while left-arm spinner Shree Charani provided excellent support by grabbing 3 for 21. Shafali Verma's handy knack for picking up breakthroughs also helped keep the pressure firmly on the opposition.

Deepti Sharma beaks Pakistan's back with fiery fifer

Because this was the third consecutive game played on the exact same Edgbaston track, India gained a significant advantage by bowling second. The worn pitch offered noticeable turn, and the odd ball began to grip, making it incredibly difficult for the batters to hit cleanly through the line. On a surface tailor-made for her skillset, Deepti proved to be literally unplayable.

Beyond her spectacular bowling display, Deepti also made the most telling contribution during the Indian fielding innings. It was her brilliant direct throw that ended the flashy and dangerous innings of Pakistan's left-handed keeper-batter, Muneeba Ali, putting India firmly in the driver's seat.

Mandhana's fifty and Ghosh's blitzkrieg in India's win

Earlier, batting first India posted a formidable 170 for 6 in their stipulated 20 overs against Pakistan. The competitive total was heavily anchored by a brilliant half-century from Smriti Mandhana and an explosive, late-innings cameo from wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh.

Choosing to bat first, India faced early difficulties after a shaky start. Opening batter Shafali Verma showed intent from the very first ball, launching left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal for a six, but her fireworks were short-lived as she was caught behind for six runs just four balls later. The pressure intensified when number three Jemimah Rodrigues struggled to find her rhythm, departing for a single run after mistiming a lofted shot off Natalia Pervaiz, which left India stuttering at 20 for 2 after four overs.

Under immense pressure, the experienced duo of Smriti Mandhana and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur came together to stabilize and rebuild the innings. Mandhana took the lead in the counter-attack, smashing nine boundaries and two sixes in a fluent 44-ball 68. Harmanpreet played a perfect supporting role, rotating the strike and finding singles to help India cross the 100-run mark in the 13th over.

ALSO READ: Bangladesh kick off Women's T20 World Cup campaign with 6-wicket win over Netherlands

Just as India looked set for a massive total, Pakistan's bowlers fought back to break the 91-run partnership. Rameen Shamim dismissed the dangerous Mandhana for 68, and Sadia Iqbal quickly followed up by removing Bharti Fulmali for one, leaving India at 117 for 4 after 15 overs. The momentum shifted further when skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, who contributed a composed 36 off 35 balls, fell to Fatima Sana in the 17th over with the scoreboard reading 129 for 5.

With India suddenly in danger of falling short of the 150-mark, Richa Ghosh and Deepti Sharma turned the tide with a breathtaking, rapid 45-run partnership off just 21 balls. The duo targeted Tasmia Rubab in the 19th over, plundering 23 runs. Though Ghosh was finally dismissed in the final over for a quickfire 34 off 17 balls—including five fours and a six—India still managed to take 15 runs from the ultimate over, with Deepti remaining unbeaten on 12.

Among the Pakistan bowlers, skipper Fatima Sana led from the front with figures of 2 for 33 in her four overs, while Sadia Iqbal also claimed two scalps but proved expensive, conceding 41 runs. Rameen Shamim and Tasmia Rubab chipped in with a wicket apiece.