India Women kicked off their Women’s World Cup 2025 campaign with a 59-run victory over co-hosts Sri Lanka Women at the ACA Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati on September 30. The match was disrupted numerous times by showers before being trimmed to 47 overs each side after Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu won the toss and chose to bowl first.
The hosts got off to a rough start, with star opener Smriti Mandhana departing for only 8 runs. However, Pratika Rawal (37) and Harleen Deol (48) held the innings together with a good combination, leading India to 81 before both fell in rapid succession. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur (21) and Jemimah Rodrigues (0) failed to make an impact, putting the team under a lot of pressure.
The Lankan Lionesses got back into the game when experienced left-arm spinner Inoka Ranaweera bowled a stunning over, removing three batters and finished with numbers of 4/46. Richa Ghosh, the Indians’ wicketkeeper-batsman, was also dismissed for two runs, adding to their woes.
Deepti Sharma (53) and Amanjot Kaur (57) came to the rescue with a magnificent 103-run partnership for the seventh wicket. Their counterattacking combo propelled India to a dominating lead.
Sneh Rana added late pyrotechnics with a fast 28 as India Women scored 269/8 in 47 overs. Sri Lanka’s Udeshika Prabodhani also excelled, taking 2/55.
Sri Lanka struggled to maintain momentum as they chased 270. Athapaththu led the way with 43 runs, and Nilakshi de Silva added 35, but India’s bowlers made regular breakthroughs to keep the hosts at bay. The innings finished at 211 in 45.4 overs, giving India a comfortable 59-run win and their first two points of the season. Deepti Sharma finished with 3/54 for India, while Sneh Rana (2/32) and Shreyanka Patil (2/37) contributed significantly.
Key moments from IND W vs SL W, Match 1 of Women’s World Cup 2025:
Deol provides a steady start
Positive intent from #HarleenDeol! A top shot to get off the mark 👏
Catch the LIVE action ➡ https://t.co/OS4MLWXgA3 #CWC25 👉 #INDvSL | LIVE NOW on Star Sports & JioHotstar pic.twitter.com/UsnVSs4817
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) September 30, 2025
The right-handed batter Harleen Deol gave India stability at the top after the early dismissal of star opener and vice-captain Smriti Mandhana. She combined with Rawal to add a crucial 67-run stand for the second wicket off 96 balls, ensuring India recovered from the initial setback. Deol played with composure, scoring 48 runs from 64 deliveries, laced with six boundaries.
Amanjot’s maiden fifty signs off in style
First Women’s World Cup match 💪🏻
First WODIs fifty 👏🏻Amanjot Kaur rescues Team India with her maiden half-century & what an occasion to do it! 🙌🏻🇮🇳
Catch the LIVE action ➡ https://t.co/OS4MLWXgA3 #CWC25 👉 #INDvSL | LIVE NOW ➡ https://t.co/OS4MLWXgA3 pic.twitter.com/N6yxYLf9PA
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) September 30, 2025
The all-rounder Amanjot Kaur showcased maturity and flair in the latter half of India’s innings, stitching together a match-defining 103-run partnership with Deepti Sharma for the seventh wicket. Coming in at a tricky stage, she counter-attacked smartly and brought up her maiden international half-century, scoring 57 runs off 56 balls, decorated with five boundaries and a six.
Deepti’s all-round brilliance
The experience of Deepti Sharma! 😎💪🏻🙌🏻
Sri Lankan skipper, Chamari Athapaththu makes her way back as she is castled by the Indian off-spinner!🤜🏻🤛🏻#CWC25 👉 #INDvSL ➡ https://t.co/OS4MLWXgA3 pic.twitter.com/yMYgycZm28
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) September 30, 2025
Deepti Sharma delivered a complete performance in the tournament opener. With the bat, she anchored the lower middle order, scoring 53 runs, which included three boundaries, to guide India to a competitive total. Later, with the ball, Deepti turned the match decisively in India’s favour, returning figures of 3/54 from 10 overs, including a maiden. Her ability to contribute in both departments made her the standout performer, and she was adjudged the Player of the Match.
India
