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Harmanpreet Kaur: India Maintain Dominance Over Pakistan as Diplomatic Tensions Overshadow World Cup Clash By BBC News Correspondent Colombo, Sri Lanka India’s women’s cricket team, led by captain Harmanpreet Kaur, secured a decisive 88-run victory against arch-rivals Pakistan in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 match in Colombo on Sunday. The win successfully extended India’s impeccable 12-0 winning streak against Pakistan in One Day Internationals (ODIs). However, the highly anticipated fixture was marked not only by a dominant cricketing performance but also by a conspicuous political gesture, as both captains, Kaur and Pakistan’s Fatima Sana, maintained a strict “no-handshake” policy at the toss and post-match ceremony, reflecting the heightened diplomatic unease between the two nations. Victory Secured on a Difficult Pitch The contest, held at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, saw India bat first after being sent in, posting a competitive total of 247 before being bowled out in the final over. Despite the pitch proving sluggish and difficult for stroke play, key contributions from Harleen Deol (46) and a late, impactful blitz by Richa Ghosh (35 off 20 balls) pushed India to a respectable score. Speaking at the post-match presentation, Harmanpreet Kaur acknowledged the challenging conditions. “It wasn’t an easy pitch to bat on, we wanted to bat longer and see how many runs we could get,” she stated. “The key was keeping wickets in hand. Richa batted really well and gave us that crucial momentum in the closing overs. ” Pakistan’s chase never truly gained traction against a disciplined Indian bowling attack.
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After losing three wickets inside the powerplay, they were eventually dismissed for 159 in the 43rd over. Rookie pacer Kranti Goud shone with figures of 3/20 in her 10 overs, supported by veteran spinner Deepti Sharma, who claimed 3/45. Kaur herself contributed defensively, notably affecting a sharp direct-hit run-out of Diana Baig late in the innings, demonstrating her all-round presence on the field. The Diplomatic Silence While the cricketing contest concluded in India’s favour, the fixture’s most discussed element was the lack of the traditional exchange of pleasantries between the players. The decision by Captain Kaur and her team to avoid handshakes at the toss and the final whistle aligns with a precedent established by the Indian men’s team earlier this year during the Asia Cup. Sources within the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have indicated that the policy is tied to ongoing political sensitivities and security concerns, a stance which reportedly has the approval of the Indian government. The lack of bilateral cricket ties between the nations since the 2012−13 season further underscores the unique political lens through which these global tournament clashes are viewed. This continuation of the diplomatic distance in the women's game drew reaction from observers. Former India cricketer and analyst Saba Karim suggested the move reflected clarity from the Indian board. “The BCCI has made its stance very clear,” Karim noted ahead of the match. “The Indian women’s team will behave in the same manner as the men’s team did in the Asia Cup.
” Leadership Under Scrutiny The high-pressure atmosphere also provided a test of Harmanpreet Kaur’s temperament and leadership. The Indian skipper, known for her aggressive batting and assertive captaincy, displayed composure even during an on-field flashpoint with Pakistan’s bowler Nashra Sandhu, an exchange that quickly went viral on social media. “Any on-field taunts or politically charged gestures from Pakistan’s players must be treated as background noise,” wrote one analyst for First India after the match. “India’s players need to rise above distractions and let their cricket speak. Because, in truth, this World Cup campaign is India versus India. ” This sentiment highlights the dual challenge faced by Kaur: managing team performance while navigating external, non-cricketing pressures. Beyond this fixture, Kaur’s leadership credentials remain highly regarded. She is among the most successful Indian captains in terms of win percentage across formats, boasting a strong record in ODIs and Tests. Furthermore, she is the most successful skipper in the Women’s Premier League (WPL), having guided the Mumbai Indians to two title triumphs in three seasons, underlining her command over high-stakes T20 cricket. The Bigger Picture: Chasing the Global Title For Harmanpreet Kaur and the Indian team, the victory over Pakistan is merely the second step in a much larger ambition: securing a maiden senior Women’s ICC World Cup title. The tournament holds particular significance as India is the host nation, with the pressure and expectation mounting on the team to perform on home soil.
Kaur has consistently been the driving force behind India’s recent run of success, guiding them to the T20 World Cup final in 2020 and the Commonwealth Games final in 2022. However, the final hurdle in major global tournaments has proven elusive. In her comments, Kaur was quick to pivot from the win to the need for continuous improvement, suggesting a focus on the team’s overall strategy rather than individual rivalries. “There are a lot of areas but we are happy we won, just want to go with the momentum,” she said. “Now we go back to India, we know how the pitches play there, we will look at the combinations and what team we need to play. ” This statement provides the outlook for India’s campaign. With the political drama of the Pakistan fixture temporarily concluded, the focus now returns squarely to cricket: translating domestic dominance and strong bilateral form into a decisive World Cup triumph under the leadership of Harmanpreet Kaur. The expectation is that her team must maintain the recent winning momentum while demonstrating the maturity to manage the high-stakes environment of a home World Cup.
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