It surprises nobody that the World Cup league conflict between India and Pakistan is extra concerning the gestures or lack thereof exterior the 22 yards than something that’s completed on it.
Very like the temperature ranges within the Sri Lankan capital within the days main as much as the fixture, the anticipation of a fourth spherical of Indo-Pak cricket (three caustic clashes already gifted by the lately concluded Males’s Asia Cup) introduced in a giant pack of international reporters and one thing World Cup-oblivious locals too know of.
The numbers of this rivalry instantly dampen any expectations of a fist struggle. An 11-0 benefit to India within the format is hardly the tussle to match the geopolitical strains of this fixture. Come Sunday, each groups will wish to insulate themselves from the surface noise with two essential factors up for grabs.
Pakistan’s seven-wicket loss to Bangladesh on the identical venue just a few days in the past uncovered the chinks of inconsistency in a reasonably in-form batting lineup. The facet will hope to bury the ghosts of that horror present because it faces a various and hungry Indian assault.
Renuka Singh Thakur was rested in India’s rain-interrupted 59-run win towards Sri Lanka in Guwahati. Whereas the early swing seen on the R. Premadasa Stadium within the earlier fixture and predicted overcast situations will go well with her hanging tendencies, India has the depth and the spin prowess to afford her extra relaxation.
If the facet needs to present Amanjot Kaur a break, Arundhati Reddy is an choice. On condition that she spent a while within the indoor nets on the Colombo Cricket Membership might trace at Indian contemplating that ploy.
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Pakistan’s 192 for seven is its highest rating towards India, registered through the 2013 ODI World Cup in Cuttack, which can be youngster’s play for a facet dealing in 300-plus marks. The venue is especially particular for Sneh Rana, who, on her ODI comeback after two years, completed as participant of the sequence for India within the tri-series involving Sri Lanka and South Africa.
Worryingly, the Australia vs Sri Lanka fixture, slotted on Saturday, was deserted with out a ball bowled as a result of persistent rains. With cloudy skies and thunderstorms on the playing cards on Sunday too, one will hope to see as a lot cricket as attainable in one of many most-awaited fixtures of the World Cup.
Printed on Oct 04, 2025