The ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 has kicked off with a bang, and if the opening week is any indication, cricket fans are in for a wild ride. India’s women’s team, the perennial favorites, have already set the tone with a dramatic win over Sri Lanka and are now gearing up for a high-voltage clash against Pakistan—one that’s as much about cricket as it is about history, politics, and, apparently, wildlife encounters.
Let’s rewind to September 30, 2025. Rain clouds loomed over the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, threatening to spoil the tournament opener. But what unfolded was a masterclass in grit and composure from India’s batters, especially debutant Amanjot Kaur. Walking in at 124 for 6, with four wickets lost in just two overs and the innings shortened to 47 overs per side after an 80-minute rain delay, Kaur looked anything but fazed. Partnering with the ever-reliable Deepti Sharma, she orchestrated a remarkable turnaround.
The two stitched together a 103-run partnership off just 99 balls, breathing life into an innings that seemed to be unraveling. Amanjot’s 57 off 56 balls—her maiden World Cup fifty—was a blend of controlled aggression, clever strike rotation, and a little bit of luck. She was dropped three times (on 18, 37, and 50) as Sri Lanka’s young fielders fumbled crucial chances, but she made every reprieve count, hammering five boundaries and a towering six. Deepti, anchoring the other end, notched up her 16th WODI fifty with a run-a-ball 53, showing why she’s the backbone of India’s middle order.
The lower order chipped in as well. Sneh Rana’s unbeaten 28 off just 15 balls, peppered with two fours and two sixes, added the finishing touches to India’s competitive total of 269 for eight. Not bad, considering the chaos that had preceded it. But let’s not forget Sri Lanka’s spirited fightback. Left-arm spinner Inoka Ranaweera was lethal, grabbing three wickets in five balls to send Harleen Deol (48), Jemimah Rodrigues (0), and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (21) back to the pavilion in a flash. Chamari Athapaththu, Sri Lanka’s captain, compounded India’s woes by dismissing Richa Ghosh, triggering a collapse of four wickets for just four runs.
Despite the early carnage, India’s resilience shone through. Their eventual 59-run victory via the DLS method sent a strong message to the rest of the field: underestimate this team at your peril. “It’s a game of cricket and anything can happen on Sunday. But in reality there is no competition. You look at the stats, India has never lost to Pakistan,” former Indian women’s chief selector Hemlata Kala told PTI, summing up the confidence—and perhaps the expectations—surrounding this squad.
Fast forward to October 3, 2025. The Indian team is back at the R Premadasa Stadium, prepping for their next big challenge: a showdown with archrivals Pakistan. But just as the players were moving from the center wicket to the nets, a surprise visitor slithered onto the scene—a greyish-brown rat snake, or “Garandiya” as it’s known locally. Far from causing panic, the snake’s appearance sparked laughter and amusement among players, staff, and even the media. “It’s not venomous. It doesn’t bite. It’s a Garandiya, just looking for rats,” a ground official assured everyone. Apparently, this isn’t the first time the venue has hosted such a guest; the snake has become something of a quirky tradition, having made cameo appearances during Lanka Premier League matches and even a Sri Lanka-Bangladesh ODI earlier this year.
With the snake drama behind them, India turned their focus to the task at hand: maintaining their dominance over Pakistan. The rivalry between these two sides is legendary, but the numbers tell a one-sided story. In T20Is, Pakistan has managed just three wins in 16 matches. In ODIs, the gulf is even wider—India has never lost to Pakistan in 11 attempts. Every meeting is billed as a potential turning point, but so far, it’s been routine business for India. “I would say India should just focus on reaching the top four first,” Hemlata Kala advised, keeping the team’s eyes on the bigger prize.
Yet, there’s more than just cricket at stake. The backdrop to Sunday’s encounter is fraught with tension, both on and off the field. The recent terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives has further strained relations between India and Pakistan. Diplomatic ties are icy, and the Government of India only permits matches against Pakistan in multi-nation tournaments—bilateral series remain off the table. As a result, the customary pre-match handshakes are likely to be skipped, echoing the frosty atmosphere that has settled over both nations.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s women’s team enters the contest under a cloud, having lost their tournament opener to Bangladesh by seven wickets. The pressure is mounting—not just to break their losing streak against India, but to prove they can compete on the biggest stage. For India, the challenge is to avoid complacency and keep their eyes on the semi-final berth, especially after such a commanding start.
The stakes are high, the emotions are raw, and the script is set for another chapter in this storied rivalry. But as recent events have shown, cricket is as much about the unexpected as it is about skill and numbers. Who could have predicted a snake would steal the spotlight during a World Cup practice session? Or that political tensions would spill onto the field, shaping not just the action but the very rituals of the game?
As Sunday approaches, fans across the subcontinent are bracing for a contest that promises drama, intensity, and perhaps a few surprises. The Indian women’s team, buoyed by their opening win and a history of dominance, will look to extend their unbeaten run against Pakistan. But as every sports fan knows, records are made to be broken—and in cricket, anything can happen.
For now, the Women in Blue remain focused, united, and ready for whatever comes their way—be it a fierce rival, a rain delay, or an unexpected visitor from the animal kingdom. The stage is set, the players are ready, and the world will be watching as India and Pakistan renew their rivalry in Colombo. One thing’s for sure: you won’t want to miss a moment of this World Cup drama.
