India Women launched their ICC Women’s World Cup campaign with an emphatic 58-run victory over Sri Lanka Women in a rain-affected thriller at Guwahati on Tuesday. The hosts posted a competitive 269/8 in 47 overs before their disciplined bowling attack dismantled Sri Lanka for 211 in 45.4 overs, with Deepti Sharma’s all-round brilliance steering India to a commanding win.
The IND Women vs SL Women, 1st Match at Guwahati, Women’s World Cup result sends a strong message to the tournament favorites as the home side showcased both resilience and firepower in front of a passionate crowd.
Match Overview
The opening fixture of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 saw India recover from a middle-order collapse to post 269/8, thanks to crucial half-centuries from Deepti Sharma (53) and Amanjot Kaur (57). Sri Lanka’s chase never gained momentum as India’s spinners ran riot, with Deepti claiming 3/54 and Inoka Ranaweera’s earlier 4/46 proving futile for the visitors.
| Team | Runs | Wickets | Overs | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India Women | 269 | 8 | 47.0 | Won by 58 runs |
| Sri Lanka Women | 211 | 10 | 45.4 | Lost |
India’s Innings: From Crisis to Control
India’s start couldn’t have been worse. Star opener Smriti Mandhana fell early for just 8, caught by Gunaratne off Prabodhani in the fourth over. The hosts were 14/1 and under immediate pressure against a disciplined Sri Lankan bowling attack.
Pratika Rawal (37 off 59) and Harleen Deol (48 off 64) steadied the ship with a 67-run partnership for the second wicket. Rawal played the anchor role perfectly, hitting seven boundaries while rotating the strike effectively. Deol looked fluent with eight fours and a six, taking India to 81 before Rawal fell to Ranaweera’s guile.
But disaster struck in the middle overs. Sri Lanka’s spinners tore through India’s star-studded batting lineup with devastating accuracy. Inoka Ranaweera produced a match-defining spell, dismissing Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues (0), and captain Harmanpreet Kaur (21) in quick succession. India slumped from 120/2 to 124/6, losing four wickets for just four runs—a collapse that threatened to derail their World Cup opener completely.
Enter Deepti Sharma and Amanjot Kaur. The seventh-wicket duo added a match-turning 103 runs in just 101 balls, dragging India from the depths of despair to a competitive total. Deepti’s classy 53 off 53 balls featured nine boundaries and a six, while Amanjot played the aggressor’s role with a stunning 57 off 56 deliveries, including seven fours and a maximum.
Sneh Rana provided the late flourish with an unbeaten 28 off 15 balls, striking at 186.66 to push India past 250. Her blistering cameo, featuring a four and two sixes, ensured the hosts finished with 269/8—a total that looked unlikely at 124/6.
India Women — Last 10 Overs Runboard
| Overs | Runs Scored | Key Events |
|---|---|---|
| 38-40 | 24 | Amanjot-Deepti partnership flourishing |
| 40-42 | 18 | Both batters reach half-centuries |
| 42-44 | 22 | Wicket: Amanjot Kaur dismissed for 57 |
| 44-46 | 16 | Sneh Rana joins Deepti |
| 46-47 | 18 | Wicket: Deepti out last ball; Rana unbeaten on 28 |
Sri Lanka’s Chase: Athapaththu’s Lone Fight
Chasing 271 for victory, Sri Lanka needed a solid start but lost opener Hasini Perera (14) in the seventh over to Kranti Goud. Captain Chamari Athapaththu looked in ominous form, racing to 43 off 47 balls with six boundaries at a strike rate of 91.48.
Athapaththu and Harshitha Samarawickrama (29 off 45) added 52 runs for the second wicket, keeping Sri Lanka in the hunt at 82/1. But once Deepti Sharma trapped Athapaththu with a beauty in the 15th over, the innings lost all direction.
The middle order crumbled under pressure from India’s relentless spin attack. Vishmi Gunaratne (11) and Kavisha Dilhari (15) perished trying to accelerate, while wicketkeeper Anushka Sanjeewani managed just 6. The IND Women vs SL Women match summary reflects India’s stranglehold—Sri Lanka were reduced to 140/6 by the 29th over, effectively ending the contest.
Nilakshika Silva (35 off 29) played a spirited cameo with four fours and a six, but wickets kept falling at regular intervals. Sneh Rana (2/32) and Deepti Sharma (3/54) were virtually unplayable, while debutant Shree Charani chipped in with 2/37.
Pratika Rawal fittingly sealed the victory by dismissing Inoka Ranaweera lbw in the 46th over, sparking wild celebrations in the Indian camp.
Scorecard Snapshot
India Women Innings
| Batters | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pratika Rawal | 37 | 59 | 7 | 0 | 62.71 |
| Smriti Mandhana | 8 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 80.00 |
| Harleen Deol | 48 | 64 | 8 | 1 | 75.00 |
| Harmanpreet Kaur (c) | 21 | 19 | 3 | 0 | 110.52 |
| Deepti Sharma | 53 | 53 | 9 | 1 | 100.00 |
| Amanjot Kaur | 57 | 56 | 7 | 1 | 101.78 |
| Sneh Rana | 28* | 15 | 1 | 2 | 186.66 |
| Total | 269/8 | 47.0 overs | 5.72 RPO |
Fall of Wickets: 14/1, 81/2, 120/3, 120/4, 121/5, 124/6, 227/7, 269/8
Best Bowling: Inoka Ranaweera 4/46 (9 overs)
Sri Lanka Women Innings
| Batters | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hasini Perera | 14 | 20 | 2 | 0 | 70.00 |
| Chamari Athapaththu (c) | 43 | 47 | 6 | 0 | 91.48 |
| Harshitha Samarawickrama | 29 | 45 | 6 | 0 | 64.44 |
| Nilakshika Silva | 35 | 29 | 4 | 1 | 120.68 |
| Kavisha Dilhari | 15 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 125.00 |
| Udeshika Prabodhani | 14* | 26 | 3 | 0 | 53.84 |
| Total | 211/10 | 45.4 overs | 4.62 RPO |
Fall of Wickets: 30/1, 82/2, 103/3, 105/4, 130/5, 140/6, 173/7, 184/8, 199/9, 211/10
Best Bowling: Deepti Sharma 3/54 (10 overs)
Top Performers
India Women:
- Amanjot Kaur — 57 (56), 7×4, 1×6, SR: 101.78
- Deepti Sharma — 53 (53) & 3/54, 9×4, 1×6, SR: 100.00
- Harleen Deol — 48 (64), 8×4, 1×6, SR: 75.00
- Sneh Rana — 28* (15) & 2/32, 1×4, 2×6, SR: 186.66
Sri Lanka Women:
- Chamari Athapaththu — 43 (47), 6×4, SR: 91.48
- Inoka Ranaweera — 4/46 (9 overs)
- Nilakshika Silva — 35 (29), 4×4, 1×6, SR: 120.68
Player Reaction
India captain Harmanpreet Kaur praised her team’s fighting spirit after the middle-order collapse. “We were in trouble at 124/6, but Deepti and Amanjot showed incredible character. That partnership changed the game completely. Our bowlers then executed brilliantly under pressure—it’s the perfect start to our World Cup campaign,” she said at the post-match presentation.
Sri Lanka skipper Chamari Athapaththu was disappointed but realistic. “Losing wickets in clusters cost us badly. We needed partnerships after my dismissal, but India’s spinners bowled exceptionally well. We have to learn quickly and bounce back in the next game.”
Player of the Match Deepti Sharma was delighted with her all-round contribution. “It was important to stay calm when we lost those quick wickets. Amanjot and I just focused on rebuilding, and the runs came naturally. Getting three wickets with the ball made it even more special.”
What’s Next?
India Women will carry tremendous confidence into their next World Cup fixture, with their bowling attack looking particularly menacing on turning tracks. Sri Lanka must regroup quickly and address their middle-order fragility if they want to remain competitive in the tournament.
The IND Women vs SL Women, 1st Match at Guwahati, Women’s World Cup result confirms India as genuine title contenders on home soil, with their ability to fight back from adversity proving they have the temperament to handle pressure situations.
With the World Cup now in full swing, fans can expect more thrilling contests as the world’s best teams battle for cricket’s ultimate prize.