India mount comeback in CWC25 opener against Sri Lanka

Amanjot Kaur and Deepti Sharma helped India pull their way back into the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 opener against Sri Lanka at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati.

After the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side was pinned down to 124/6, thanks to Sri Lanka's prolific effort with the ball, the duo combined for the seventh wicket partnership to take the team past the 200-run total.

Earlier, Inoka Ranaweera had turned the game in Sri Lanka's favour by removing Harleen Doel, Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet Kaur in quick succession to leave India reeling at 121/5 during their

The Sri Lankan tweaker became the second oldest player to take a four-wicket haul in Women's ODIs, and the oldest to do so at the Women's Cricket World Cup.

Sri Lanka skipper Chamari Athapaththu then added to India’s troubles in the by dismissing Richa Ghosh with Udeshika Prabodani taking a sharp catch at cover.

The surge of wickets came after the contest was reduced to 48 overs a side after persistent drizzle kept players off the field for over an hour.

Shortly after resumption, Pratika Rawal’s steady knock of 37 from 59 balls came to an end as she stepped out to Inoka Ranaweera but got picked out deep midwicket. Vishmi Gunaratne held on to the catch at the second attempt, breaking India’s 50-run partnership.

Meanwhile, Udeshika Prabodani had got Sri Lanka off to a fine start by nabbing the important wicket of Smriti Mandhana in the powerplay.

The in-form India opener tried to clear the off side early on in the powerplay, but ended up slicing the delivery to deep cover where Vishmi Gunarathne held on after a juggle.

Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu had won the toss and elected to field first in their tournament opener against in Guwahati.

The two hosts of the marquee tournament are squaring off at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati to kickstart the 14th edition of the Women’s World Cup.

India arrive in the tournament as one of the favourites to go all the way, eyeing a maiden World Cup title.

Meanwhile, the Athapaththu-led Sri Lanka are featuring in the tournament after eight years. Back in 2013, when India last hosted the Women’s World Cup, the island nation had defeated India.

INDIA: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh, Uma Chetry, Renuka Singh Thakur, Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Sree Charani, Radha Yadav, Amanjot Kaur, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gaud. Reserves: Tejal Hasabnis, Prema Rawat, Priya Mishra, Minnu Mani, Sayali Satghare

SRI LANKA: Chamari Athapaththu, Hasini Perera, Vishmi Gunarathne, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Kaveesha Dilhari, Nilakshika Silva, Anushka Sanjeewani, Imesha Dulani, Dewmi Vihanga, Piumi Wathsala, Inoka Ranaweera, Sugandika Dasanayaka, Udeshika Prabodani, Malki Madara, Achini Kulasooriya. Reserve: Inoshi Fernando