Smriti Mandhana and Team India fired up for Pakistan clash

A spirited Indian Women’s cricket team is all set to take on Pakistan for their first match in the ongoing Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign. An India vs Pakistan match is always special for a cricketer, and it becomes more challenging when the match is scheduled to be held as a World Cup match.

No matter what the format is, whenever these two teams face each other, the crowd turns out in large numbers. On Sunday, a full house is expected at Edgbaston in Birmingham. Ahead of the match, Star Sports shares a video from their official social media accounts across the platforms, depicting the Indian cricket stars’ thoughts on the all-time rivalry.

Girls will experience the crowd: Smriti Mandhana

Smriti Mandhana is among the batters who can make a difference between the two teams. Mandhana talked about the crowd that they are gonna witness tonight. “To kick-start your World Cup campaign with the Pakistan team is always good. All the girls will experience the crowd,” Smriti Mandhana said in the video.

Shafali Verma, another Indian women’s cricket team star, mentioned that it is always a fun moment for them to confront the arch-rivals on the ground.

”Playing against Pakistan is always fun. Our team is always at the top. It’s a lot of fun to play with them,” Shafali Verma said in the same video after Smriti Mandhana.

Jemimah Rodrigues highlights the history of the celebrated rivalry shared by both of the teams, which makes the contest more entertaining to watch and become a part of it.

“We know how big an India-Pakistan game is. We know the history of it. And I think that’s what makes it special. The rivalry, the history,” Jemimah Rodrigues said.

We have to win this match: Deepti Sharma

For Deepti Sharma, it is a must-win match for them, where they need to do well with a high-spirited performance. “We have to win this match. We have to do better in this match. We have to keep our spirits high,” she stated.

“Yeh match toh jeetna hi jeetna hai!” 💪

That one line perfectly captures the intensity of the #GreatestRivalry. 🇮🇳⚔️🇵🇰

ICC Women’s #T20WorldCup 2026 | #INDvPAK 👉 SUN, 14th June, 6 PM pic.twitter.com/VNrb1kGnbd

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) June 14, 2026

Mandhana can be the difference maker

Former England skipper Nasser Hussain shared that Mandhana would definitely raise the level in the rivalry. He believes that the Team India vice captain will go hard against Pakistan in the very match.

“They’re not surprise packages, but both Deepti and Smriti Mandhana have had quiet periods for a little while now. So, it’s not a surprise. But come Sunday, I think Smriti Mandhana will absolutely raise her level,” Nasser Hussain said to JioStar while analyzing the match preview.

“If you ask Pakistan who they would be most worried about at the top of the order, it is Smriti Mandhana. She’ll go hard at Pakistan. She may need to rein it in a little,” he added.

The 29-year-old has a decent track record against Pakistan in the Women’s T20I. The Indian top-order batter has so far scored 239 runs in 10 matches and ten innings against Pakistan, including one half-century.