India’s captain Harmanpreet Kaur won the toss and opted to bat first in a much-awaited encounter of Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 Group 1 vs arch-rivals Pakistan at Edgbaston on Sunday. That move echoed India’s self-belief in putting up a target on what is likely to be a batting-friendly surface at first, before assisting the bowlers as the last couple of days wore on.
India’s choice of eleven players was one of the big talking points in the lead-up to this match. Management decided to play Bharti Fulmali in the playing XI over wicket-keeper batter Yastika Bhatia. The decision was meant to bolster India’s batting in the middle-order and also provide them with additional ammunition towards the latter part of the innings. Prior to the game, previews had pointed at Bhatia-Fulmali selection call as one of India’s key decisions ahead of the opening match in the tournament.
They had lost a wicket in the very first over, but from there Smriti Mandhana counter-attacked as you would expect and things went on swimmingly for India after that. The southpaw struck a couple of elegant strokes and ran well between the wickets. The pair rebuilt the innings and eventually applied some pressure back on Pakistan’s bowling unit, helped along by this middles overs support from Harmanpreet Kaur.
Fulmali crossed paths with the presence on crease only later in that innings, after Mandhana had left. It was mostly a cameo, but her presence underlined India’s strategy of making the best use of batting depth. However, the acceleration was sparked by Richa Ghosh with a blistering innings that raised India to 170 for 6 by the end of their twenty overs. Mandhana scored 68 while Harmanpreet made a quickfire 36 before Ghosh’s onslaught at the death provided India with vital momentum.
The rivalry of India and Pakistan came to light once again with a full house crowd in one the biggest matches of the tournament. With 171 to chase and bowlers in both camps eyeing the scoreboard pressure, India have closed on Pakistan for a first victory of their World Cup bow.
Read also: Rishabh Pant IPL 2026 Price | New Zealand National Cricket Team vs South Africa National Cricket Team Timeline | India National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Stats