Harleen Deol, Richa Ghosh Propel India to 247 Against Pakistan in Women’s ODI World Cup Clash

Colombo, Oct 2025 : Harleen Deol’s composed 46 and Richa Ghosh’s brisk unbeaten 35 guided India to a competitive total of 247 in their 50-over clash against Pakistan at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Sunday in the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup.

India’s innings, however, was far from fluent, stretched over four hours due to multiple interruptions, including players leaving the field for pest control measures. The batting lineup struggled to build momentum, with several batters getting starts but failing to convert them into substantial scores. India’s innings featured a staggering 173 dot balls, highlighting the challenges they faced on a tricky surface.

At 159/5 in the 35th over, India appeared vulnerable, especially in the absence of Amanjot Kaur. It was only in the final four overs that India added 44 crucial runs, pushing their total to a somewhat respectable 247. With no batter reaching a half-century, India will rely heavily on their bowlers to defend this total on a pitch that has not made scoring easy, aiming for a second consecutive win in the tournament.

For Pakistan, pace spearhead Diana Baig was the standout performer with figures of 4-69, while captain Fatima Sana Khan, Said Iqbal, Rameen Shamim, and Nashra Sandhu also picked up wickets.

Chasing 247, India’s innings began positively. Pratika Rawal showcased her attacking intent early, bringing out punches and a leaning drive to score three consecutive boundaries off Diana Baig. Smriti Mandhana complemented the start with elegant strokes, including a square drive, deft dab, and crisp cut for three boundaries off the same bowler. Mandhana even survived an lbw appeal as replays showed the delivery pitching outside leg-stump.

Pakistan, however, regained control when Fatima Sana trapped Mandhana lbw with a nip-backer, and the India vice-captain’s review proved futile. Harleen Deol then got into her stride, cutting late deliveries for fours and lofting over long-on for a six off Rameen Shamim. Despite efforts from Harleen and Harmanpreet Kaur, Pakistan’s disciplined bowling prevented India from accelerating freely.

The breakthrough came when Diana Baig had Harmanpreet Kaur edging down the leg side to keeper Sidra Nawaz. Baig later caught Jemimah Rodrigues behind, only for the umpire to rule it a no-ball due to overstepping, providing the batter a crucial reprieve. Jemimah found some rhythm through pull, sweep, and late-cut shots but narrowly survived a run-out when nearly three-fourths down the pitch.

Harleen’s determined innings ended at 46 when she holed out to long-on off Rameen, shortly before a short break was taken for pest control. After the interruption, Pakistan struck again, with Nashra Sandhu trapping Jemimah lbw for 32 after a delivery that dipped and straightened late. Deepti Sharma, struggling to find momentum, and Sneh Rana, surprisingly promoted ahead of Richa, failed to capitalize, with Sneh holing out to long-on off Fatima.

Diana Baig’s return to the attack proved decisive, dismissing Deepti as she attempted an aggressive shot but edged to Sidra in a wicket maiden 46th over. Sree Charani fell to Sadia as India’s middle order continued to wobble. However, Richa Ghosh revived the innings with calculated aggression, hitting two sixes and a four off pacers, while she and Kranti Gaud added crucial boundaries off the spinners.

Pakistan’s slow over-rate forced them to keep an extra fielder inside the circle, which Richa exploited with a clever switch-hit for four off Diana. A near-collision between Sidra and Natalia Pervaiz allowed her a reprieve. Kranti Gaud also struck a timely boundary, but Diana Baig dismissed both Kranti and Renuka Singh Thakur on successive deliveries, restricting India to 247, just three runs short of the 250-mark.

Brief Scores:
India: 247 all out in 50 overs (Harleen Deol 46, Richa Ghosh 35*; Diana Baig 4-69, Fatima Sana Khan 2-38)
Pakistan: Yet to bat

India will now look to their bowlers to defend this competitive total. The pitch, challenging for stroke-making, could play a key role, and disciplined bowling and sharp fielding will be essential if they are to secure their second consecutive victory in the tournament.