India launched their Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign with a commanding 64‑run victory over Pakistan at Edgbaston. However, former off‑spinner Ravichandran Ashwin cautioned that the result should not conceal deeper concerns within the squad, noting that India may struggle to progress far due to limited power‑hitting resources and a perceived lack of depth compared to leading contenders.
Ravichandran Ashwin highlights key concern despite winning start
Ashwin reflected on India’s opening performance, noting that the side executed its plans effectively, especially with the ball, but warned against over‑interpreting the result. Speaking on his YouTube program Ash ki Baat, he said India’s batting lineup lacks the explosive quality seen in teams such as England and Australia. He observed that the lineup is relatively thin on players who can consistently clear the boundary under pressure, and that the squad’s overall balance could be exposed by stronger opponents as the tournament progresses.
“I am not sure India will go very far in this T20 World Cup because the lineup lacks power. Although India performed excellently against Pakistan and their spin attack was decisive, the team still lacks the depth seen in sides like England and Australia,” he said on his YouTube channel ‘Ash ki Baat’.
The veteran spinner noted that, although India’s spin attack remains a key strength, success in contemporary T20 cricket increasingly relies on having multiple match‑winning options across all departments.
“India’s combination appears slightly short on power‑hitting options, which could become a concern in tougher matches against stronger opponents. Compared with the strong lineups of England and Australia, India’s overall team depth remains a significant worry,” he added.
India dominate Pakistan in all facets
India’s performance against Pakistan was largely positive. After being asked to bat first, they posted a competitive total of 170/6 from 20 overs, driven by a composed innings from Smriti Mandhana who scored 68. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur contributed valuable runs in the middle order with 36, while Richa Ghosh delivered a rapid 34 off 17 balls late in the innings, taking the total beyond Pakistan’s reach.
Pakistan started positively and appeared settled early, but the chase unraveled dramatically once India’s spinners found their rhythm. Wickets fell in clusters, the batting lineup collapsed, and Pakistan were eventually bowled out for 106.
The standout bowler was Deepti Sharma, whose exceptional spell dismantled Pakistan’s batting order. She claimed a brilliant five‑wicket haul, one of the finest bowling displays of the tournament, and moved to the top of the all‑time Women’s T20 International wicket‑taking list, surpassing Thailand spinner Thipatcha Putthawong’s previous record of 165 wickets.
Although the start was ideal, India’s campaign has only just begun. Placed in Group A with Australia, Bangladesh, Netherlands, South Africa and Pakistan, the team faces a challenging path if it aims to win its first Women’s T20 World Cup title. Their next match is against the Netherlands on June 17, and a strong showing could generate further momentum.
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