India beat Srilanka by 59 runs (Image Credit:- X)

India kicked off their Women’s World Cup 2025 campaign on a high , defeating Srilanka by 59 runs under DLS method in the opening match. After setting a competitive total on a batting-friendly surface , India’s bowlers backed it up with disciplined spells as rain interruption brought DLS into play , sealing a convincing win for the hosts.

Toss

Srilanka women won the toss and elected to field first.

India Innings

Srilanka got an early breakthrough when experienced left arm pacer Udeshika Prabodhani dismissed India’s star opener Smriti Mandhana for just 8 runs. In form Mandhana’s early dismissal gives Srilanka a big boost.

Pratika Rawal (37 runs from 59 balls) and Harleen Deol (48 runs from 64 balls) took charge of the innings with a composed 67 run partnership off 97 balls. Their stand laid a solid foundation for middle order to built on.

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The partnership was eventually broken by Inoka Ranaweera , who struck at the right time for Srilanka by dismissing Pratika Rawal. Her breakthrough gave the visitors a much needed opening.

Harleen Deol , joined by skipper Harmanpreet Kaur carried India forward with another crucial 39 run partnership. The pair kept the scoreboard ticking with sensible batting , frustrating the Srilanka bowlers. However, just as the stand looked promising , Inoka Ranaweera struck again , removing Harleen to put a halt on India’s progress.

Ranaweera 3 wicket over and India comeback

Ranaweera turned the game momentarily in Srilanka’s favour with a sensational over , striking thrice. After removing Harleen Deol , she removed Jemimah Rodrigues for a first ball duck before sending Harmanpreet Kaur back for 21. The triple blow in the same over left India wobbling, with the hosts suddenly under pressure at a crucial stage.

Chamari Athapaththu joined the party soon after pushing India further on the back foor by dismissing wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh. With quick wickets tumbling, India innings looked in trouble as Srilanka sensed an opportunity to restrict India to a below par total.

Deepti Sharma and Amanjot Kaur put together match winning 103 run partnership (image Credit:- X)

Just when India seemed in deep trouble , Deepti Sharma (53) and Amanjot Kaur (57) turned the tide with a brillant 103 run partnership off 99 balls. the duo mixed composure with counter attacking strokes , rebuilding the innings and frustrating Srilanka’s bowlers. Their stand not only rescues India from a collapse but also powered hosts to a commanding total that eventually proved match-winning.

Sneh Rana’s cameo of 28* runs from 15 balls also helped India to reach 269 in 47 overs. Srilanka’s target revised to 271 in 47 overs as per DLS.

Wicket Takers Srilanka

Inoka Ranaweera (4/46 in 9 overs) , Udeshika Prabodhani (2/55 in 10 overs) , Chamari Athapaththu (1/24 in 3 overs) and Achini Kulasuriya (1/42 in 8 overs) are the wicket takers for Srilanka.

Srilanka Innings

India struck early in their chase as Kranti Goud provided the first breakthrough. After Srilanka openers added 30 run partnership , Goud clean bowled Hasini Perera for 14, giving India an early edge and setting tone for the bowlers to build pressure.

Chamari Athapaththu (43 runs from 47 balls) and Harshitha Samarawickrama (29 runs from 45 balls) then combined to give Srilanka glimmer of hope with a 52 run partnership for the third wicket. The pair looked set to rebuild the innings, but Deepti Sharma struck at a crucial moment , clean bowling Athapaththu and bringing India back firmly into control.

Deepti Sharma named Player of the Match for her all-round performance (Image Credit:-X)

Indian spinners tightened the screws in the middle overs, picking up wickets at regular intervals and never letting Srilanka settle. The disciplined spin attack , cleaned up the visitors for 211 in 45.4 overs, setting up a comprehensive 59 run victory under DLS method in opening match.

Spinners from India dominated the match by picking up 8 wickets for just 132 runs in 30.4 overs. Their tight lines and clever variations consistently troubled Srilankan batters , preventing any recovery.

Wicket takers India

Deepti Sharma (3/54 in 10 overs) , Sneh Rana (2/32 in 10 overs) , Shree Charani (2/37 in 8 overs) , Pratika Rawal (1/6 in 2.4 overs) , Amanjot Kaur (1/37 in 6 overs) and Kranti Goud (1/41 in 9 overs).

Player of the Match

Deepti Sharma (53 runs & 3/54)

Next Match – 01/10/2025

Australia Women vs New Zealand Women at Indore , 03:00 PM