'Not sure India will go very far': R Ashwin not convinced about India's Women's T20 World Cup chances despite Pakistan win

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'Not sure India will go very far': R Ashwin not convinced about India's Women's T20 World Cup chances despite Pakistan win originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:​

• India beat Pakistan by 64 runs at Edgbaston in the Women's T20 World Cup 2026, with Deepti Sharma taking 5 for 10.
• Ashwin warns India lacks power-hitting depth to compete with England and Australia.
• Mandhana's 68 and Richa Ghosh's cameo helped India post 170/6 after early setbacks.

R Ashwin doubts India can go far in Women's T20 World Cup despite 64-run win over Pakistan​

India opened their ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 campaign with an emphatic 64-run victory over Pakistan at Edgbaston in Birmingham, but former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has poured cold water on the celebrations, suggesting the Women in Blue may not have enough firepower to make a deep run in the tournament.

Opting to bat first, India lost both Shafali Verma and Jemimah Rodrigues inside the Powerplay and looked vulnerable early on. Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana and captain Harmanpreet Kaur steadied the ship with a composed 91-run partnership that brought India back into contention.

Mandhana was sensational as she struck nine fours and two sixes in a polished 68 off 44 deliveries that set the platform for a blitzkrieg in the death.

MORE:India vs Pakistan turns highest-attended group game in Women's T20 World Cup history

Wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh came in and immediately changed the tempo, plundering 23 runs off a single over from Tasmia Rubab before finishing unbeaten on 34 from just 17 balls. Her cameo proved decisive as India reached 170 for 6, a total that would ultimately prove more than enough.

Pakistan started their chase with intent as Muneeba Ali got them off to a solid Powerplay with 41 runs on the board. But once India's spinners settled into their work in the middle overs, there was only one winner.

Tournament debutant Shree Charani was impressive, as she finished with figures of 3 for 21 on her World Cup debut. However, the match belonged entirely to Deepti Sharma, who produced the best bowling performance of her career, 5 for 10, to rip through the Pakistan batting order. Nine of Pakistan's ten wickets fell to spin as they were bowled out for 106 in 17 overs.

MORE: 'New normal in IND-PAK matches': No-handshake continues at toss and post-match

Ashwin's warning: Power gap could hurt India later​

Despite the margin of victory, Ashwin was in no mood to get carried away. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ash Ki Baat, the former off-spinner argued that while India's spin attack had once again proved its quality, the batting unit lacks the power-hitting depth that sides like England and Australia possess throughout their lineup.

"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 opined.

"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."

It's all blue in Edgbaston

We are away in the mission #T20WorldCup in fine fashion

Scorecard https://t.co/1tfRc3jcrX#TeamIndia | #WomenInBluepic.twitter.com/slDhUJnXY5

— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) June 14, 2026

The Bigger Picture: Ashwin is right to ask the question, even if the timing feels harsh​

Beating Pakistan by 64 runs with five wickets from your number-one spinner is a result that deserves credit, but Ashwin's broader concern is legitimate.

India's middle-order power-hitting has been a question mark for some time, and it will not go unnoticed by the coaching teams of England and Australia.

Deepti Sharma cannot win every game on her own. If Mandhana fails in a knockout match, the batting can look thin very quickly. The Pakistan win was clinical, but it was also a relatively comfortable draw, with the head-to-head now reading 14-3 in India's favour.

The real answers will come in the weeks ahead, and Ashwin knows it. They next face the Netherlands on Wednesday, but a tougher test awaits them next Sunday against South Africa at Old Trafford.

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