India kicked off their Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign in emphatic fashion with a commanding 64-run victory over Pakistan at Edgbaston, but former off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin believes the convincing result should not mask deeper concerns within the squad. While praising the team’s overall display, Ashwin suggested that India may struggle to go the distance in the tournament because of limited power-hitting resources and a perceived lack of depth compared to leading contenders.
Ravichandran Ashwin highlights key concern despite winning start
Reflecting on India’s opening performance, Ashwin acknowledged that the side executed its plans effectively, particularly with the ball, but cautioned against reading too much into the result. Speaking on his YouTube show Ash ki Baat, he argued that India’s batting unit does not possess the same explosive quality as teams like England and Australia. According to Ashwin, India’s lineup appears slightly light on players capable of consistently clearing the boundary in high-pressure situations. He also pointed to the overall balance of the squad, saying that stronger opponents could expose these shortcomings as the tournament progresses.
“I am not sure India will go very far in this T20 World Cup because there is a lack of power in the lineup. While India were excellent against Pakistan and their spin attack once again proved decisive, the team still lacks the depth that sides like England and Australia possess,” he said while speaking on his YouTube channel ‘Ash ki Baat’.
The veteran spinner maintained that while India’s spin attack remains a major strength, success in modern T20 cricket often depends on having multiple match-winning options across departments.
“India’s combination appears slightly short on power-hitting options, which could become a concern in tougher matches against stronger opponents. Compared to 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, however, offered plenty of positives. After being asked to bat first, they posted a competitive 170/6 from their 20 overs thanks to a composed innings from Smriti Mandhana, who top-scored with 68. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur added valuable runs in the middle order with 36, while Richa Ghosh’s late assault produced a rapid 34 from just 17 deliveries and lifted the total beyond Pakistan’s reach.
Pakistan began their chase positively and looked settled during the opening exchanges, but the innings unraveled dramatically once India’s spinners found their rhythm. Wickets fell in clusters as the batting lineup collapsed, eventually being dismissed for 106.
The standout performer with the ball was Deepti Sharma, whose exceptional spell dismantled Pakistan’s batting order. She finished with a brilliant five-wicket haul, producing one of the finest bowling displays of the tournament so far. Her performance carried additional significance as it elevated her to the top of the all-time wicket-taking charts in Women’s T20 Internationals. Deepti surpassed Thailand spinner Thipatcha Putthawong’s previous benchmark of 165 wickets, adding another milestone to an already distinguished career.
Despite the ideal start, India’s campaign is only beginning. Placed in Group A alongside Australia, Bangladesh, Netherlands, South Africa and Pakistan, the team faces a challenging road ahead if it hopes to capture its first-ever Women’s T20 World Cup title. Their next assignment comes against the Netherlands on June 17, where another strong performance could build momentum.
This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
