INDW vs PAKW Playing XI: Harmanpreet Kaur makes one forced change as half-centurion of opening game falls ill

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Sports Tak

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INDW vs PAKW Playing XI: Harmanpreet Kaur makes one forced change as half-centurion of opening game falls ill
Harmanpreet Kaur of India looks on during the warm up prior to the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 match against Pakistan at R. Premadasa Stadium on October 05, 2025 in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Story Highlights:

Renuka Singh Thakur replaced an unwell Amanjot Kaur.

India have an 11-0 record against Pakistan in Women's ODI World Cups.

Pakistan captain Fatima Sana won the toss and opted to bowl first against India at R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on October 5. The Indian team had to make one forced change as Amanjot Kaur is unwell. As a precautionary measure, she is not playing India's second game of the tournament.

Pakistan skipper made one change, replacing Omaima Sohail with Sadaf Shamas.

“We're going to bowl first, looks like there could be some moisture on the wicket. One change for us - Sadaf Shamas replaces Omaima Sohail - our confidence is great, hopefully we'll play better today. Anything under 250 could be a good chase,” Fatima said after winning the toss. 

 

 

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Harmanpreet brought back pacer Renuka Singh Thakur in place of Amanjot. 

“We played a good series here before the WC. We're thinking positively and are looking to do well. One unfortunate change - Amanjot isn't playing (she's ill), Renuka Thakur replaces well. We've gelled well as a team and looking forward to today's contest,” Harmanpreet said at the coin toss. 

 

Amanjot shared a crucial 103-run sixth-wicket partnership with Deepti Sharma when India were 124/6 in 27 overs. Amanjot scored 57 runs from 56 balls, including five fours and a six.

29-year-old Renuka is not in the best of forms. Aagainst Australia, she claimed three ODIs. In the high-scoring game in Delhi, she conceded 79 runs. In the World Cup warm-up games, she claimed one wicket.

While Amanjot's absence means that India will lack the batting depth, Renuka may exploit the conditions well with the new ball. Harmanpreet banked on Renuka's experience ahead of Arundhati Reddy.  

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India Women’s Playing XI

Pratika Rawal, Smriti Mandhana, Harleen Deol, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wk), Sneh Rana, Renuka Singh Thakur, Kranti Gaud, Shree Charani.

Pakistan Women’s Playing XI

Muneeba Ali, Sadaf Shamas, Sidra Amin, Rameen Shamim, Aliya Riaz, Sidra Nawaz (wk), Fatima Sana (c), Natalia Pervaiz, Diana Baig, Nashra Sandhu, Sadia Iqbal.