With all the hype surrounding the eagerly awaited IND vs PAK Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 encounter, India will seek to extend their spotless record against Pakistan in the format. The encounter is all set for Sunday, October 5 at Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium, with play scheduled to start at 3:00 PM IST, subject to the weather.
IND vs PAK Preview: High Stakes, Historic Record on the Line
Despite of the long-standing rivalry and emotional stakes of each India-Pakistan match, the statistics in Women’s ODIs talk of ruthless domination. India has won all 11 prior ODIs against Pakistan, including 4-0 Women’s World Cup encounters.
Although form and momentum can shift quickly in tournaments, India’s overwhelming head-to-head record, coupled with recent match experience at Colombo, provides a psychological boost.
India’s Preparation: Focused and Familiar
India was among the earliest to arrive in Colombo, taking advantage of their one practice session at the ground on Friday evening. Experience of the ground having been successful for them in May’s tri-series could prove to be a tactical plus.
Regular drill work was done under lights during the fielding session, dew likely to come into play. A minor disruption by an unexpected visitor in the shape of a harmless “Grandaiya” rat snake did not disturb the Indian team.
Though their victory against Sri Lanka in Guwahati was by a narrow margin, it unveiled some possible fissures in India’s top-five order. This match against Pakistan is a golden chance to experiment with their combinations before their more challenging matches start.
Pakistan’s Challenge: Bounce Back After Bangladesh Loss
Pakistan experienced a disappointing loss to Bangladesh in their tournament opener, casting doubts over their good performances in recent home series. Based solely in Colombo for this tournament, Pakistan will need to cash in on the familiarity of the venue, particularly with a tough schedule to come.
Venue: R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
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Date & Time: Sunday, October 5, 3:00 PM IST
Weather Forecast: Wet weather is likely in the morning. A postponed start or a rain-reduced match is highly likely.
Pitch & Conditions: Dew may have an impact on team choices, particularly in bowling attack.
Team News and Probable XIs – IND vs PAK
India Women
Renuka Thakur bowled in the nets following her absence against Sri Lanka.
Sneh Rana and Amanjot Kaur missed first sessions but may return for this all-important encounter.
Match-eve practice had only Arundhati Reddy and Uma Chetri batting indoors, perhaps indicating the playing XI.
Probable XI:
Smriti Mandhana, Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Amanjot Kaur, Sneh Rana, Sree Charani, Arundhati Reddy / Kranti Gaud
Pakistan Women
Expected to rebuild bowling attack following Bangladesh loss.
A leg-spinner can be brought in to take advantage of match-ups.
Probable XI:
Muneeba Ali, Omaima Sohail, Sidra Amin, Aliya Riaz, Sidra Nawaz (wk), Natalia Pervaiz, Fatima Sana (c), Syeda Aroob Shah, Nashra Sandhu, Diana Baig, Sadia Iqbal
IND vs PAK Head-to-Head in Women’s ODIs
| Match Format | India Wins | Pakistan Wins |
| Overall WODIs | 11 | 0 |
| World Cups | 4 | 0 |
India have a 100% record against Pakistan in Women’s ODIs, making the task for Pakistan all the more uphill.
Player Milestones to Watch in IND vs PAK
Smriti Mandhana is only 104 runs short of becoming the second Indian female (and only after Mithali Raj) to have 5000 WODI runs.
Mandhana is 35 runs behind Belinda Clark’s mark (970) for the most WODI runs in a calendar year.
India’s 2025 WODI run rate of 6.36 is its second-best ever, behind only New Zealand’s 6.57 in 2018.
Upcoming Match
IND vs PAK – ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025
Date: Sunday, October 5
Time: 3:00 PM IST, Local
Venue: R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
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