ICC Women’s World Cup 2025: India Women vs Sri Lanka Women live score recap
The opening match of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 in Guwahati delivered drama and twists for both sides. India Women, defending the title on home soil, posted 269/8 in 47 overs after a disciplined middle-overs display, while Sri Lanka Women chased under lights with a game plan built around spin and resilience.
India’s innings: a fighting 269 on a wearing track
India began with a measured approach after Smriti Mandhana’s early dismissal left the innings in a tricky spot. Mandhana fell early for just 8, and the pace of the game shifted to a more patient construction from Pratika Rawal and Harleen Deol. Rawal provided the backbone with a composed knock, while Harmanpreet Kaur contributed a steady 20s-odd, before being dismissed by a Ranaweera delivery that turned the match on its head. The fall of Harmanpreet, and later the departure of Jemimah Rodrigues and Harleen Deol, left India under real pressure as they slipped to 121/5.
Deol’s 40+ and a quick late flourish from Amanjot Kaur helped India post a defendable total, but the innings was a study in navigating spin. The pick of the bowlers from Sri Lanka came at crucial times, with Athapaththu’s shift to bowling bringing late wickets and keeping India honest. The scoreboard end-of-innings snapshot shows Deepti Sharma at the crease with Amanjot, and the two combining to push India past 260 in the closing overs.
Sri Lanka chase: spinners’ choke and a brave fightback
In response, Sri Lanka looked positive at the start, building a 1st-wicket stand that demanded discipline from India’s bowlers. However, a pair of dismissals — Harshitha Samarawickrama and Vishmi Gunaratne — in quick succession, with both batsmen undone by sharp Indian bowling (and fielding pressure), slowed the chase. The spin duo of Sneh Rana and Deepti Sharma began to tighten the screws, and the pitch’s turning nature began to show as the chase progressed. The ball began to grip more, making every touch of the surface feel decisive.
Chamari Athapaththu, backed by Vishmi in the middle overs, looked set to steer the visitors towards the target around 271 via the DLS-adjusted quota. Athapaththu’s leadership and intent were evident as she attempted to press the accelerator against India’s spinners, with a sequence of boundary options that included a six and a four off the Indian off-spinner early in the innings.
India then sniffed a breakthrough when Athapaththu was dismissed, bringing a shift in momentum. The hosts breathed a sigh of relief as Shankar Narayan suggested that India could control the chase from there. Sri Lanka continued to chase and to attack through the middle overs, but the pressure of the asking rate and the quality of Indian spin began to tell as overs wore on. The match remains positioned as a contest of spin versus patience, with India aiming to seal the win through disciplined lines and strong catching in the field.
Turning points and tactical battles
The match highlighted the strength of India’s spin pair, with Deepti Sharma and Sneh Rana anchoring the control in the middle overs. Shree Charani, Amanjot Kaur, and Kranti Gaud also contributed with tight lines in the defending phase. Off the field, observers noted how a slightly damp outfield and dew could influence fielding positions and grip, adding another layer to the tactical chess between teams. Sri Lanka’s decision to bat second drew praise for their reliance on spin and careful chase management, while India’s fielding and pace variations offered a constant test for the chasing side.
What’s next for both teams
As the chase unfolds, Sri Lanka will look to anchor partnerships and accelerate when spinners tempt them. India will want to keep applying pressure with the two-pronged spin attack and tighten the catching circle to keep the run-rate in check. The match remains a live, evolving story with the conditions likely to affect both the batters and bowlers as night falls in Guwahati.
Venue notes and context
Guwa”hati’s ACA Stadium provided a batting-friendly surface with subtle bounce and turning possibilities as the day wore on. The host nation’s fans created an electric atmosphere, which carried into the night sessions, even as the dew began to influence the ball and outfield. With several updates characterized by timely wickets and bold counterattacks, this fixture lived up to its billing as a marquee World Cup 2025 contest.
