India begins Women’s World Cup 2025 with a confident win over Sri Lanka
India begins Women’s World Cup 2025 with a confident win over Sri Lanka
Women's World Cup- India Vs Sri Lanka: India kicked off the Women’s World Cup 2025 in style, defeating Sri Lanka by 59 runs (DLS) on the opening day.
The ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 started with a rain-hit but entertaining clash where India registered a 59-run win (DLS method) against Sri Lanka. Deepti Sharma shone with both bat and ball, while Amanjot Kaur and Sneh Rana made crucial contributions to give India the perfect start.
India Innings
India’s innings had a mix of steady partnerships and quick counter-attacks. Smriti Mandhana fell cheaply for 8, caught at point off Udeshika Prabodhani.
But debutant opener Pratika Rawal (37 off 59) played with calmness, hitting three boundaries and a six to give India a platform. She added 67 runs with Harleen Deol (48 off 64), who looked fluent with six crisp fours.
Middle-order collapse, Just when India were cruising, Inoka Ranaweera struck in quick bursts. She dismissed Harleen, Jemimah Rodrigues (first-ball duck), and captain Harmanpreet Kaur (21 off 19) in a short span, reducing India from 81/1 to 121/5.
Whereas Deepti Sharma (53 off 53) and Amanjot Kaur (57 off 56) steadied the innings with a 106-run stand for the sixth wicket. Deepti was composed, rotating strike well, while Amanjot played confidently, striking five fours and a six.
In the final overs, Sneh Rana (28 off 15)* unleashed her power-hitting, striking two fours and two sixes to push India to 269/8 in 47 overs at a run rate of 5.72. Bowling for Sri Lanka, Inoka Ranaweera (9-0-46-4) was outstanding with her variations, while Udeshika Prabodhani chipped in with two wickets.
Sri Lanka Innings
Chasing a revised target of 270, Sri Lanka showed intent but struggled against India’s disciplined bowling. Opener Hasini Perera fell early to Kranti Goud, but captain Chamari Athapaththu (43 off 47) counter-attacked with four boundaries and three sixes, keeping Sri Lanka in the hunt. She shared a 52-run stand with Harshitha Samarawickrama (29 off 45).
Just as the innings looked steady, Shree Charani and Amanjot Kaur struck to remove Harshitha and Vishmi Gunaratne (11 off 28). Chamari soon followed, bowled by Deepti Sharma, leaving Sri Lanka 105/4.
Kavisha Dilhari (15 off 12) and Nilakshika Silva (35 off 29) played brisk cameos, with Silva in particular hitting boundaries freely. But wickets kept tumbling at the other end as Deepti Sharma and Sneh Rana tightened the screws.
Achini Kulasuriya (17 off 31) and Udeshika Prabodhani (14 off 26) tried to stretch the innings, but with little support left, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 211 in 45.4 overs. For India, Deepti Sharma (10-1-54-3) led the attack, while Sneh Rana (10-0-32-2) and Shree Charani (8-0-37-2) provided excellent support.
Brief Scores
India: 269/8 (47 overs): Amanjot Kaur 57, Deepti Sharma 53, Harleen Deol 48; Inoka Ranaweera 4/46
Sri Lanka: 211 all out (45.4 overs): Chamari Athapaththu 43, Nilakshika Silva 35; Deepti Sharma 3/54, Sneh Rana 2/32