India hosts Sri Lanka in the Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 tournament opener on Tuesday at the ACA Stadium in Barsapara, Guwahati. This will be their sixth meeting in the World Cup and 36th overall in women’s ODIs.

The last time India and Sri Lanka met in women’s ODIs was on May 11 in the final of the Tri-Series — a tournament contested between the two teams and South Africa and hosted by Sri Lanka.

The Women in Blue clinched a dominant 97-run victory over the hosts to win the tournament.

After opener Smriti Mandhana rose to the occasion to power India to a commanding 342 for seven, the bowlers completed the task by bundling out Sri Lanka for 245, with Sneh Rana (4/38) and Amanjot Kaur (3/54) doing the bulk of the damage.

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Skipper Chamari Athapaththu (51 off 66 balls) and Nilakshika Silva (48 off 58) were the chief contributors for the host.

Smriti, battling cramps in humid conditions, struck a majestic 116 off 101 balls to lay the foundation for India’s imposing total after skipper Harmanpreet Kaur opted to bat. The southpaw added 120 runs in 106 balls with Harleen Deol (47 off 56) for the second wicket to steady the innings before falling while attempting a lofted cover drive.

But her dismissal set the stage for a strong finish as Jemimah Rodrigues, coming off a career-best 123 against South Africa, smashed a quick-fire 44 off 29 balls (4×4), while Harmanpreet contributed a brisk 41 off 30 (4×4, 1×6) as India piled on 90 runs in the last 10 overs.

There was a brief phase where India looked to have lost steam in the final overs, but cameos from Deepti Sharma (20 not out off 14) and Amanjot Kaur (18 off 12) helped them surge past 340.

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For Sri Lanka, Sugandika Kumari was the pick of their bowlers with 2/59, while Dewmi Vihanga (2/69) and Malki Madara (2/74) also picked two wickets each.

Chasing a mammoth total, Sri Lanka was one down without a run on the board after Hasini Perera fell to Amanjot. Athapaththu and Vishmi Gunaratne (36 off 41 balls) put the host’s chase back on track after the early blow. However, Deepti’s introduction put the brakes on Lankan scoring as the senior off-spinner bowled three economical overs on the trot before Amanjot sent Gunaratne back.

Soon after getting to her fifty, Athapaththu was bowled by Rana, who dropped the batter off her own bowling in her previous over. With the required run rate mounting, the match was as good as over after Silva’s dismissal to Rana.

Published on Sep 30, 2025