Kranti Goud Shines as India Crush Pakistan by 88 Runs | CWC25 Women’s Highlights
India’s dominance over Pakistan in women’s cricket continued at the 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup (CWC25), as the young pacer Kranti Goud delivered a fiery performance to help India secure a commanding 88-run victory in Colombo.
At just 22, Goud is quickly proving herself to be one of India’s most exciting new talents. A week after her impressive World Cup opener against Sri Lanka, she returned with a match-winning spell, taking 3 wickets for 20 runs and rattling Pakistan’s top order, while also contributing valuable lower-order runs to ensure India’s total of 247.
A Journey from Apprentice to World Cup Star
Kranti Goud’s journey to international cricket has been rapid but carefully managed. She first received the call for her India debut at the R Premadasa Stadium in May 2025, initially picked as an apprentice while senior pacers Renuka Singh and Pooja Vastrakar were recovering from injuries.
Her debut was modest, with figures of 5-0-22-0, but even then, she showed glimpses of her potential — notably striking Sri Lanka’s Chamari Athapaththu on the ribs with a fierce delivery. That tiny moment, overshadowed by Smriti Mandhana’s century and Sneh Rana’s four-wicket haul, convinced selectors to give Goud a chance for the England tour.
In Durham, Goud’s talent fully emerged. She bowled a sensational six-for, leaving England’s top order struggling, and played a key role in India’s series victory. That performance cemented her spot for the World Cup, making her virtually undroppable even with Renuka Singh returning from injury.
The Match: India vs Pakistan in Colombo
India’s approach in the match was clear: aggressive bowling up front, tight fielding, and smart batting to post a defendable total. After being put in to bat first, India faced some resistance from Pakistan’s bowlers, but contributions from the lower order, including Goud’s 8 runs off 4 balls with two crisp boundaries, helped India reach 247 runs.
Goud’s batting, though brief, came at a crucial juncture. She and Richa Ghosh added 21 runs for the ninth wicket, ensuring India had a total to defend comfortably. Her boundaries — a cover drive against left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal and a pull against Diana Baig — highlighted her fearless approach.
Goud’s Fiery Spell
The real impact, however, came with the ball. Goud bowled six unchanged overs with the new ball, targeting Pakistan’s top order with pace and movement. Her first wicket came in the 12th over when Aliya Riyaz edged a delivery that swung late, sending the ball to Deepti Sharma at second slip.
“I had that feeling from within that I could get a wicket, and I got it off the first ball,” Goud said. “They found it tough to play our pacers. Because the ball was moving in and out, that’s why I had a lengthy first spell.”
Goud credited her success to a mix of personal instinct and strategic input from captain Harmanpreet Kaur and the coaching staff. Adjusting her line and length to the conditions, Goud effectively stifled Pakistan’s scoring, picking up 3 wickets and setting the tone for a dominant Indian bowling display.
Team Effort Leads to Big Victory
While Goud’s performance stood out, India’s win was very much a team effort. Smriti Mandhana’s elegant stroke play, Jemimah Rodrigues’ composed innings, and Deepti Sharma’s clever spin combined to suffocate Pakistan’s batswomen.
India bowled Pakistan out for 168 runs in 41.4 overs, securing an emphatic 88-run victory, keeping India’s unbeaten streak against Pakistan in women’s ODIs intact. Goud’s contributions with both ball and bat earned her the Player-of-the-Match award, a well-deserved recognition for her growing influence in the squad.
Goud’s Approach and Mindset
Despite the intensity of an India-Pakistan clash, Goud remained focused on her primary role: bowling.
“I wasn’t thinking of India-Pakistan or other things,” she said. “My duty is to bowl, and I was doing just that.”
Her calm approach and discipline, combined with smart field placements set by Harmanpreet Kaur, allowed her to execute her plans perfectly. From controlling the swing early to keeping a slip in place for the crucial wicket, Goud’s tactical awareness was as impressive as her raw pace.
Looking Ahead
Kranti Goud’s emergence adds depth to India’s pace attack and ensures a strong bowling lineup for the rest of the World Cup. With senior pacers like Renuka Singh available and Pooja Vastrakar still recovering, Goud has made herself a central figure in India’s plans.
For Pakistan, the defeat highlighted the need to improve batting consistency against high-quality pace attacks. Meanwhile, India can take confidence from a well-rounded performance, blending youth and experience, as they prepare for the next stages of CWC25.
Conclusion
Kranti Goud’s rise from an apprentice to a match-winner in just a few outings illustrates the depth of talent in Indian women’s cricket. Her fiery new-ball spells, coupled with timely contributions with the bat, were pivotal in India’s 88-run victory over Pakistan, a game watched with excitement in her hometown of Ghuwara and by fans around the world.
This performance not only strengthens India’s title hopes but also signals the arrival of a new star in the international cricket arena — a young pacer with nerves of steel, ready to lead India’s attack for years to come.
