Colombo : Renuka replaces Amanjot as India bring in fast-bowling spearhead Renuka Singh Thakur for the crucial 2025 Women’s World Cup group-stage clash against Pakistan at the R Premadasa Stadium on Sunday. Pakistan won the toss and elected to bowl first.
Tournament hosts India are coming into this clash after beating Sri Lanka by 59 runs in their opening game in Guwahati. Another clinical win over Pakistan, who suffered a seven-wicket loss to Bangladesh in their first World Cup match, will strengthen India’s net run rate before tougher league-stage games arrive.
India have an 11-0 record over Pakistan in women’s ODI meetings and won by 107 runs in their last World Cup encounter in 2022. Renuka, who did not play against Sri Lanka, steps in as Amanjot Kaur misses out due to illness, reinforcing India’s seam attack.
Amanjot’s batting exploits had rescued India against Sri Lanka, and her absence leaves the side a little light in the batting department. “We played a good series here before the WC. We’re thinking positively and are looking to do well. Amanjot not playing is an unfortunate change. We’ve gelled well as a team and are looking forward to today’s contest,” said Harmanpreet Kaur.
Pakistan captain Fatima Sana Khan said Sadaf Shamas replaces Omaima Sohail in their playing eleven. “Looks like there could be some moisture on the wicket (due to overcast conditions). Our confidence is great; hopefully we’ll play better today. Anything under 250 could be a good chase,” she said.
Just like in the three meetings between India and Pakistan in the men’s T20 Asia Cup in Dubai, Harmanpreet and Fatima did not exchange handshakes during toss time in Colombo.
Playing XIs :
India: Smriti Mandhana, Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Sree Charani, Kranti Gaud, and Renuka Singh Thakur (Renuka replaces Amanjot)
Pakistan: Muneeba Ali, Sidra Amin, Aliya Riaz, Natalia Pervaiz, Fatima Sana Khan (captain), Sidra Nawaz (wk), Rameen Shamim, Sadia Iqbal, Nashra Sandhu, Diana Baig, and Sadaf Shamas
–IANS
