Snehasis Mukherjee in Colombo
October 5, 2025 – India’s second game of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup is against arch-rivals Pakistan in Colombo. After a convincing 59-run win over Sri Lanka in their opener in Guwahati, the Women in Blue will look to continue their winning momentum. With an 11-0 record against Pakistan in WODIs, India enter as firm favourites.
Pakistan, on the other hand, are under pressure. They lost their opening game to Bangladesh by seven wickets after being bowled out for just 129. This match could be the perfect opportunity for India to not only extend their unbeaten record but also to register a big win, boosting their net run rate — something that could prove crucial in the semi-final race.
Meetings between India and Pakistan often go beyond cricket. Diplomatic tensions between the two countries add extra spice, especially in men’s cricket. Fans saw that again during the recently concluded Asia Cup in the UAE, where India beat Pakistan three times but avoided handshakes before or after the games. A fresh controversy has emerged after a commentator’s “Azad Kashmir” remark during their match against Bangladesh in the Women’s World Cup. All of this means Pakistan’s women’s team will be under pressure both on and off the field.
For India, changes in the playing XI would not be a surprise. In the Guwahati match, the top order struggled. Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur all got starts but failed to convert them. At one stage, India were 124/6 before Deepti Sharma and Amanjot Kaur rescued the side with a brilliant 103-run partnership.
Amanjot, making a comeback from a back injury suffered during the England tour, impressed with a fifty on her World Cup debut. She also bowled with the new ball and in the middle overs, showing her value as a seam-bowling all-rounder (57 runs, one wicket). Playing in hot and humid conditions was a test of her fitness, and though she looked fine, India may consider resting her against Pakistan to manage her workload. Her bigger role will come later in the tournament against stronger sides like South Africa, Australia, England, and New Zealand.
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Possible Changes
Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh in; Amanjot Kaur, Kranti Gaud out
India could bring in Arundhati and Renuka, giving them game time while keeping Amanjot and Kranti out. Arundhati’s slower cutters could be effective in Colombo, while Renuka’s new-ball swing remains a big weapon.
Four spinners and one pacer
India might also go with the spin-heavy attack used in the recent home ODI series against Australia — with Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, N Shree Charani, and Radha Yadav forming the quartet. In the first ODI in Mullanpur, they went with this combination. Colombo’s conditions often favour spin: in 22 ODIs, spinners have taken 196 wickets compared to 92 by pacers.
Pakistan themselves lost eight wickets to spin in their defeat to Bangladesh. Marufa Akter’s in-swinging deliveries with the new ball rattled Pakistan’s top order, and, hence, Renuka’s swing or Kranti’s pace and accuracy could be India’s choice.
India’s possible playing XI vs Sri Lanka
Smriti Mandhana, Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, N Shree Charani, Radha Yadav, Renuka Thakur/Kranti Gaud
Also Read: Heat, High Tempers and a Commentary Controversy Rock Colombo