Deepti Sharma Five-Wicket Haul Gives India 64-Run Win Over Pakistan At T20 World Cup

India opened its Women's T20 World Cup campaign with the kind of result that changes the temperature around a tournament. A 64-run win over Pakistan at Edgbaston gave India points, net run-rate protection and a clear early statement in a group that will not leave much room for slow starts. The match was built first by the batters and then won decisively by Deepti Sharma, whose five-wicket haul broke Pakistan's chase after it had briefly looked lively.

The batting platform came from Smriti Mandhana, who made 68 from 44 balls, and captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who added 36 in a partnership that steadied India after early pressure. Richa Ghosh then gave the innings its late acceleration with 34 from 17 balls. India reached 170 for 6, a total that was not unreachable on paper but was large enough to force Pakistan into a high-risk chase.

Pakistan started with more intent than the final margin suggests. Muneeba Ali made 41 and Pakistan moved to 52 for 1 after the powerplay, their best opening phase against India in this format according to the match reports. That start mattered because it stopped the game from becoming a procession. It also made Deepti's spell more important. Once she entered the contest, Pakistan's chase lost shape. Her five wickets for 10 runs, combined with a direct-hit run-out, turned pressure into collapse.

The cricket was played under the familiar weight of an India-Pakistan fixture. The crowd was large, the atmosphere was sharp and the wider political backdrop was visible in the absence of handshakes. But the playing difference was also clear. India's women's game has been strengthened by the Women's Premier League, deeper domestic visibility and more high-pressure exposure.

For India, the result gives the coaching staff several positives. Mandhana's scoring tempo showed that she can shape an innings without drifting into caution. Harmanpreet's contribution gave the middle order stability. Ghosh's finishing changed the final target. Deepti's bowling then provided both control and wicket-taking threat, the combination every T20 side needs in the middle overs.

Tournament openers are about setting direction. India did that with a win that combined star batting, spin control and competitive composure. Deepti's spell will be remembered as the headline act, but the broader message is that India has begun the World Cup looking organised, balanced and difficult to chase down.