211/10 (45.4)
CR : 4.62
269/8 (47.0)
CR : 5.72
India Women won by 59 runs (DLS METHOD) 🏆
Player of the Match
Deepti Sharma
3/5453(53)
11:33 PM: Team India kick start their Women's World Cup campaign with a thumping 59-run win (DLS) against Sri Lanka at Guwahati. Sri Lanka won the toss and put India in to bat first in overcast conditions.
There were multiple interruptions in the first innings meaning the game was eventually reduced to 47-overs per-side. India scored 269/8 despite a crumbled middle order as Deepti Sharma (53 off 53) and Amanjot Kaur (57 off 56) stitched a magnificent 103-run stand for the 7th wicket.
Kranti Goud (1/41) on World Cup debut made the first breakthrough for India after the opening pair of Chamari Athapaththu (43 off 47) and Hasini Perera (14 off 20) added 30 runs in 6.4 overs. Perera trying to heave the ball across the line missed it and lost her off stump.
Harshitha Samarawickrama (29 off 45) started off well crunching 3 boundaries in an Amanjot Kaur over inside the powerplay with Sri Lanka managing 45-1 in that 9-over stage. Half centurion Deepti Sharma was welcomed with a maximum by Athapaththu and taken for 23 in her first 2 overs but the off spinner struck back to have the last laugh cleaning up the Lankan skipper's stumps.
The pressure crept up on the visitors as they failed to score a boundary and lost Harshitha Samarawickrama to left arm spinner N Shree Charani. Amanjot Kaur after an expensive first spell returned and struck with another crucial wicket trapping Vishmi Gunaratne (11 off 28) leg before who also burnt a review for Sri Lanka.
Kavisha Dilhari (15 off 12) batted with some intent and got some boundaries against Charani. India too burnt their first referral soon after as Amanjot struck Nilakshi de Silva (35 off 29) on the pads with the ball going down leg.
Another bowling changed worked wonders for India as Richa Ghosh with a miraculous catch down the leg side helped Deepti pick her 2nd wicket. Initially turned down by the umpire, India were convinced and used a review to get the on-field call overturned.
Deepti removed Anushka Sanjeewani (6) soon after and a couple of catches went down off Sneh Rana's bowling but the off spinner didn't allow the batters to inflict further damage and rattled both their stumps to finish with 2/32.
The Lankan batters never recovered from the stage and were eventually bundled out for 211 in the 46th over. Deepti Sharma after her brilliant batting innings was the pick of the bowlers with 3/54, Shree Charani (2/37), Pratika Rawal (1/6), Sneh Rana (2/32) and Kranti Goud (1/41) impressed with the ball as well.
The crowd was in for a delight with the Indian supporters getting a desired result and also enjoyed a superb opening ceremony before the match and during the mid innings break. The ground DJ also kept the spectators humming and on their toes playing their favorite artist and local boy Zubeen Garg's evergreen hits throughout the day with the legendary musician recently passing away.
Stay tuned as we return with the award ceremony and thoughts from both the captains.
There were multiple interruptions in the first innings meaning the game was eventually reduced to 47-overs per-side. India scored 269/8 despite a crumbled middle order as Deepti Sharma (53 off 53) and Amanjot Kaur (57 off 56) stitched a magnificent 103-run stand for the 7th wicket.
Kranti Goud (1/41) on World Cup debut made the first breakthrough for India after the opening pair of Chamari Athapaththu (43 off 47) and Hasini Perera (14 off 20) added 30 runs in 6.4 overs. Perera trying to heave the ball across the line missed it and lost her off stump.
Harshitha Samarawickrama (29 off 45) started off well crunching 3 boundaries in an Amanjot Kaur over inside the powerplay with Sri Lanka managing 45-1 in that 9-over stage. Half centurion Deepti Sharma was welcomed with a maximum by Athapaththu and taken for 23 in her first 2 overs but the off spinner struck back to have the last laugh cleaning up the Lankan skipper's stumps.
The pressure crept up on the visitors as they failed to score a boundary and lost Harshitha Samarawickrama to left arm spinner N Shree Charani. Amanjot Kaur after an expensive first spell returned and struck with another crucial wicket trapping Vishmi Gunaratne (11 off 28) leg before who also burnt a review for Sri Lanka.
Kavisha Dilhari (15 off 12) batted with some intent and got some boundaries against Charani. India too burnt their first referral soon after as Amanjot struck Nilakshi de Silva (35 off 29) on the pads with the ball going down leg.
Another bowling changed worked wonders for India as Richa Ghosh with a miraculous catch down the leg side helped Deepti pick her 2nd wicket. Initially turned down by the umpire, India were convinced and used a review to get the on-field call overturned.
Deepti removed Anushka Sanjeewani (6) soon after and a couple of catches went down off Sneh Rana's bowling but the off spinner didn't allow the batters to inflict further damage and rattled both their stumps to finish with 2/32.
The Lankan batters never recovered from the stage and were eventually bundled out for 211 in the 46th over. Deepti Sharma after her brilliant batting innings was the pick of the bowlers with 3/54, Shree Charani (2/37), Pratika Rawal (1/6), Sneh Rana (2/32) and Kranti Goud (1/41) impressed with the ball as well.
The crowd was in for a delight with the Indian supporters getting a desired result and also enjoyed a superb opening ceremony before the match and during the mid innings break. The ground DJ also kept the spectators humming and on their toes playing their favorite artist and local boy Zubeen Garg's evergreen hits throughout the day with the legendary musician recently passing away.
Stay tuned as we return with the award ceremony and thoughts from both the captains.
Player of the Match: Deepti Sharma
Deepti Sharma (Player of the Match): "Obviously, I think it was a turning point because we lost back-to-back wickets. We were talking about taking it deep till the 47th and 48th over and it was a good partnership.
I didn't feel any pressure because I'm used to it. I have played such knocks in the past. That partnership with Amanjot was important for us and I also enjoy my bowling.
When this type of wicket is there, I try to bowl my stock ball. I tend to back my strength which will help the team.
First match always sets the tone. There are plenty of positives for us in this match and hopefully, we will perform in a similar manner throughout the tournament."
I didn't feel any pressure because I'm used to it. I have played such knocks in the past. That partnership with Amanjot was important for us and I also enjoy my bowling.
When this type of wicket is there, I try to bowl my stock ball. I tend to back my strength which will help the team.
First match always sets the tone. There are plenty of positives for us in this match and hopefully, we will perform in a similar manner throughout the tournament."
Players with 50+ Runs and 3+ Wickets in the Same Match for India Women:
59 & 3/19 – Shikha Pandey vs South Africa Women at Bengaluru, 2014
51* & 3/20 – Deepti Sharma vs Ireland Women at Potchefstroom, 2017
86 & 4/3 – Jemimah Rodrigues vs Bangladesh Women at Mirpur, 2023
53 & 3/54 – Deepti Sharma vs Sri Lanka Women at Guwahati, Tonight*
59 & 3/19 – Shikha Pandey vs South Africa Women at Bengaluru, 2014
51* & 3/20 – Deepti Sharma vs Ireland Women at Potchefstroom, 2017
86 & 4/3 – Jemimah Rodrigues vs Bangladesh Women at Mirpur, 2023
53 & 3/54 – Deepti Sharma vs Sri Lanka Women at Guwahati, Tonight*
Chamari Athapaththu (Sri Lanka Women Captain): "Actually, we execute our plans but we dropped a couple of catches. Especially the Kaur catch. As a batting unit, we lost wickets early and in the middle overs as well. That was the reason why we lost the game.
Actually, Inoka bowled very well. Udeshika also. They have the experience. The other bowlers will have to think. They need to speak with the coaches and we have to reset our plans before the next game.
Still we are calm. I have played with my youngsters and they have won us games. Kavisha and Harshitha. If they can perform, we have a chance to win games.
Definitely. I think we batted really well in the powerplay. We lost only one wicket. After my wicket, the batters felt pressure. Chasing is not easy. You have to have a good plan. If you lose wickets, it's not easy to chase. Harshita and Vishmi struggled in the middle. I know we did mistakes but if we can reset, we can bounce back."
Actually, Inoka bowled very well. Udeshika also. They have the experience. The other bowlers will have to think. They need to speak with the coaches and we have to reset our plans before the next game.
Still we are calm. I have played with my youngsters and they have won us games. Kavisha and Harshitha. If they can perform, we have a chance to win games.
Definitely. I think we batted really well in the powerplay. We lost only one wicket. After my wicket, the batters felt pressure. Chasing is not easy. You have to have a good plan. If you lose wickets, it's not easy to chase. Harshita and Vishmi struggled in the middle. I know we did mistakes but if we can reset, we can bounce back."
Harmanpreet Kaur (India Women Captain): "It wasn't an easy game. We know in ICC tournaments every game is high pressure and important. We kept losing wickets but still the way Deepti and Amanjot handled the pressure was outstanding. We all came together and tried to win this game.
[The first innings] Amanjot is a very key player for us who can contribute with both bat and ball. Deepti is doing it for years. Both of us did really well, Harleen played well and it was a good game for us.
[On the bowlers] Kranti is a wicket taking option for us. Sneh Rana and Deepti are very crucial. We hoped they will keep getting wickets and they did just that. Charani's spell was very good to see, she bowled with a good approach. Very happy with the way they bowled.
[Update on Harleen] Harleen will be fine. It was a high pressure game, you give 2% on an early stage. I think she will be fine until the next game."
[The first innings] Amanjot is a very key player for us who can contribute with both bat and ball. Deepti is doing it for years. Both of us did really well, Harleen played well and it was a good game for us.
[On the bowlers] Kranti is a wicket taking option for us. Sneh Rana and Deepti are very crucial. We hoped they will keep getting wickets and they did just that. Charani's spell was very good to see, she bowled with a good approach. Very happy with the way they bowled.
[Update on Harleen] Harleen will be fine. It was a high pressure game, you give 2% on an early stage. I think she will be fine until the next game."
That's it from our coverage of the opening encounter in the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025! The juggernaut moves from Guwahati to Indore tomorrow as defending champions Australia start their campaign in the Trans-Tasman rivalry against New Zealand. India and Sri Lanka will both head to Colombo to face Pakistan and Australia respectively.
Ninaad Dixit here signing off on behalf of my co-commentator Akshay Bhide, scorer Bishal Mandal and statistician Aman. Stay tuned for more action from the Women's World Cup as well as all the other action from around the cricketing fraternity.
Ninaad Dixit here signing off on behalf of my co-commentator Akshay Bhide, scorer Bishal Mandal and statistician Aman. Stay tuned for more action from the Women's World Cup as well as all the other action from around the cricketing fraternity.