Reality Check for India: Early Flaws Exposed Before Pakistan Clash in Women’s World Cup 2025

India overcame Sri Lanka in their Women’s World Cup 2025 opener with some hiccups, but the hosts will need to address key issues before facing bigger tests like Pakistan, Australia, England, and South Africa.

A Win, but Not Without Lessons

Expectations were high for India to dominate from the start. Instead, they found themselves 124 for 6, prompting fears of an early exit. Deepti Sharma and Amanjot Kaur came to the rescue with both bat and ball, stabilizing the innings and helping India post a competitive total.

The bowlers also faced early challenges, with Chamari Athapaththu taking the attack to India. But a well-planned strategy from the Indian spinners led to her dismissal, turning the game in India’s favour.

What Went Right

• India had a clear plan with the ball, putting pressure on key Sri Lankan batters.

• The team’s batting depth helped recover from the mini-collapse.

• Valuable experience was gained for younger players under pressure situations.

Russell Arnold noted, “It’s a right wake-up call for India. They have the firepower and skillset to challenge top teams, but now they know areas to polish.”

Areas for Improvement

• Early breakthroughs in powerplay overs remain crucial. Kranti Gaud picked the early wicket, but additional support from other bowlers is needed against stronger sides.

• Batting consistency: Losing Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Harmanpreet Kaur in quick succession highlighted vulnerabilities in the top order.

• Inexperienced bowlers in middle overs will be tested against teams with deep batting line-ups.

Former captain Mithali Raj emphasized, “Against good sides, getting early breakthroughs is vital. You can’t rely on just one bowler in the powerplay.”

Looking Ahead

The match against Sri Lanka offered a dose of reality. With Pakistan on October 5, India must focus on ironing out flaws while maintaining their strengths. The lessons learned from this opener will be crucial as they prepare to face stronger opponents like Australia, England, and South Africa.

Fans remain optimistic, confident India can lift their maiden Women’s ODI World Cup trophy, but experts caution that consistency and strategic execution will decide their fate.