India’s 2025 ICC Women’s World Cup campaign began in style with a comprehensive 59-run victory (DLS method) against Sri Lanka in Guwahati. In front of an enthusiastic home crowd, the Indian team overcame early batting jitters to post a formidable total, before their spinners decimated the Sri Lankan chase. The performance not only secured two valuable points but also set a powerful tone for India’s title ambitions in this global tournament.
The match, which was reduced to 47 overs per side due to intermittent rain, tested India’s resilience early on. After losing key top-order batters cheaply, India found themselves in deep trouble at 124 for 6. However, the lower order, led by Amanjot Kaur, Deepti Sharma, and Sneh Rana, mounted an inspiring recovery. Their spirited fightback turned what looked like a modest total into a commanding 269 for 8, which ultimately proved far beyond Sri Lanka’s reach.
📸 📸
— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) September 30, 2025
A cracking way to set the ball rolling in #CWC25 for #TeamIndia! 🙌 🙌
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Early Setbacks for India’s Top Order
Sri Lanka’s decision to bowl first immediately paid off. India’s seasoned opener Smriti Mandhana fell early, misjudging a delivery that straightened off the seam. With the scoreboard barely ticking, the pressure mounted. The onus then shifted to Pratika Rawal and Harleen Deol, who adopted a patient rebuilding approach. Their 67-run partnership for the second wicket stabilized the innings, though it came at a painstaking pace.
Boundaries were scarce as Sri Lanka’s spinners, led by the experienced Inoka Ranaweera, maintained relentless control. The slow pitch, combined with disciplined bowling, made scoring difficult. Eventually, the pressure told. Ranaweera struck in the 20th over, removing Rawal and breaking the partnership. She returned shortly after to produce a decisive spell that dismantled India’s middle order—claiming the wickets of Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues, and captain Harmanpreet Kaur in quick succession.
At 124 for 6, India’s innings appeared to be in ruins. Yet, from that precarious position, came one of the most defining partnerships of the match—an alliance that altered the course of the game.
The Amanjot–Deepti Rescue Act
The arrival of Amanjot Kaur and Deepti Sharma at the crease brought a sense of calm to the Indian innings. Both batters exhibited remarkable maturity, showing respect for the good deliveries while punishing loose ones. They focused on steady rotation of the strike, minimizing risks and waiting for the right opportunities to accelerate.
As the innings progressed, their partnership grew in confidence and momentum. Amanjot’s precise footwork and timing allowed her to pierce gaps at will, while Deepti’s astute reading of the bowlers ensured India never lost control. Their partnership soon crossed the 100-run mark, transforming India’s innings from one of survival to dominance.
Amanjot, who became the first batter to score a half-century in this World Cup, showcased a balance of grace and aggression. Her 57-run innings included five fours and a beautifully struck six over midwicket. Deepti, on the other hand, demonstrated why she remains one of India’s most reliable all-rounders. Her 53 off 53 balls was a masterclass in controlled aggression—mixing singles, doubles, and the occasional boundary with intelligent precision.
Their stand of 103 runs blunted the Sri Lankan attack completely. Fielders began to fumble, bowlers lost rhythm, and the crowd roared with renewed energy. The turning point had arrived.
Sneh Rana Adds the Finishing Touch
When Deepti fell in the 45th over, Sneh Rana stepped up with intent. Her cameo injected a surge of energy into the innings at the perfect time. Smashing two fours and two sixes in quick succession, Rana’s 30-run blitz off just 15 deliveries helped India plunder 34 runs in the final two overs. What could have been a total of around 230 suddenly ballooned to 269—an imposing figure given the match conditions and DLS implications.
By the end of their innings, India had turned adversity into advantage. From 124 for 6, the hosts finished at 269 for 8—a testament to composure under pressure and the team’s deep batting strength.
Sri Lanka’s Promising Start Quickly Unravels
Chasing a DLS-revised target of 271, Sri Lanka began with intent. Their captain Chamari Athapaththu, known for her fearless stroke play, opened with a flurry of boundaries. Partnering with Hasini Perera, she guided Sri Lanka to a promising start, racing to 30 within the first few overs. Perera’s dismissal, bowled by Kranti Gaud, broke the momentum, but Athapaththu kept the scoreboard moving.
In the powerplay, Sri Lanka reached 45 for 1 in nine overs—exactly the kind of start they had hoped for. However, the introduction of spin soon changed everything. Deepti Sharma, who had been expensive in her first over, returned with renewed focus. After being hit for two sixes and two fours by Athapaththu, she had the last laugh by bowling the Sri Lankan captain for 43. That wicket proved to be the turning point of the chase.
Indian Spinners Tighten the Grip
Once Athapaththu departed, Sri Lanka’s innings lost its structure. Sneh Rana, Shree Charani, and Deepti Sharma combined beautifully to suffocate the middle order. Dot balls piled up, frustration grew, and wickets began to tumble in quick succession.
Harshitha Madavi was trapped leg-before by Charani, while Vishmi Gunaratne was undone by Amanjot Kaur’s clever seam movement. The rest of the middle order—Kavisha Dilhari, Nilakshi de Silva, and Anushka Sanjeewani—showed moments of resistance but couldn’t convert starts into big scores. Deepti returned to remove both Dilhari and Sanjeewani, completing another impactful all-round performance.
Nilakshi de Silva’s 35 offered a glimmer of hope, but her dismissal—bowled by Rana attempting an audacious reverse sweep—ended Sri Lanka’s resistance. The tail crumbled swiftly thereafter. Pratika Rawal capped off the innings by trapping Inoka Ranaweera leg-before, sealing India’s comprehensive victory.
Tactical Brilliance and Team Depth
India’s performance in Guwahati was not just about individual brilliance—it was about collective strategy and adaptability. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur’s decision to trust her spinners despite early boundaries proved decisive. The bowlers rotated seamlessly, maintaining pressure through varied angles and flight.
Equally significant was the team’s composure with the bat. The partnership between Amanjot and Deepti reflected India’s growing maturity and mental strength—a hallmark of teams that win world titles. Rana’s aggressive finish added the modern-day touch India has often lacked in pressure situations.
This match also underscored India’s depth. Even after losing six wickets cheaply, the lower middle order turned the tide with confidence. The ability to recover from collapse is a sign of championship pedigree—and India displayed plenty of it in this opener.
Final Score Summary
India: 269/8 in 47 overs
Amanjot Kaur 57, Deepti Sharma 53, Sneh Rana 30; Inoka Ranaweera 4-46, Udeshika Prabodhani 2-55
Sri Lanka: 211 all out in 45.4 overs
Chamari Athapaththu 43, Nilakshi de Silva 35; Deepti Sharma 3-54, Sneh Rana 2-32
Result: India won by 59 runs (DLS method)
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A crucial fifty ✅
— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) September 30, 2025
A 3⃣-wicket haul ✅
Showcasing her all-round abilities in style ✅
Deepti Sharma with the Player of the Match award as #TeamIndia make a winning start to our #CWC25 campaign! 👏 👏
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/lcSNn79t77#WomenInBlue | #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/bmYSKmdJ6m
Conclusion
India’s opening win was not merely a victory on paper—it was a statement of intent. After a hesitant start, the team’s lower order and spinners combined to deliver a dominant performance that silenced critics and energized the home crowd. The balance between resilience and aggression, as well as the ability to respond under pressure, bodes well for their campaign.
As the tournament progresses, India will draw confidence from this hard-fought triumph. Their blend of experience, youth, and tactical acumen makes them one of the most balanced teams in the competition. For now, Guwahati witnessed the birth of momentum—momentum that India will aim to carry deep into the World Cup.
