Deepti Sharma made history. Smriti Mandhana dazzled. India delivered.
June 15, 2026 – The Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 has barely begun, and India have already served up a moment to remember.
Dominant from Ball One
At a packed Edgbaston, Birmingham, India Women opened their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan – and left no doubt about who’s in charge.
Winning the toss, Harmanpreet Kaur elected to bat, and Smriti Mandhana took it from there. The stylish left-hander smashed 68 off just 44 balls, anchoring India to a commanding total of 170/6 in 20 overs. Richa Ghosh provided a late flourish, while Deepti Sharma held the innings together at the end. Fatima Sana was Pakistan’s pick of the bowlers with 2/33.
Deepti Sharma Makes World History
With the bat impressive, India were even more lethal with the ball.
Deepti Sharma produced one of the finest bowling performances in Women’s T20I history – picking up 5 wickets for just 10 runs. That career-best haul also made her the all-time leading wicket-taker in Women’s T20 Internationals with 166 scalps, overtaking Thailand’s Thipatcha Putthawong.
Nine of Pakistan’s 10 wickets fell to Indian spinners. Muneeba Ali top-scored with 41, but it was never enough. Pakistan were bowled out for 106 in 17 overs.
India won by 64 runs.
The Bigger Picture
This was India’s 14th win over Pakistan in 17 T20Is, extending their current unbeaten run against their rivals to four matches. Pakistan’s last win over India? Back in the Women’s Asia Cup 2022.
India, already reigning ODI World Cup champions, look like a team on a mission. The Women in Blue are just getting started – and the rest of the tournament is on notice.
Women’s cricket has never looked this good.