IND vs SL: India Eyes Winning Start in Home Women’s World Cup.
The ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup returns to India after a 12-year hiatus, and for the hosts, the tournament carries significance beyond cricket. Led by Harmanpreet Kaur, India will open their campaign against Sri Lanka at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati on Tuesday, with hopes high for their first women’s ICC title.
India’s Form and Key Players
Ranked No.3 in the world, India enter the tournament with confidence after series wins against England and a strong performance in a pre-tournament ODI series against Australia. Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana has been in sensational form, scoring four ODI centuries this year at an average of 66.28 and a strike rate of 115.85. Her partnerships with young opener Pratika Rawal have strengthened India’s top order in the absence of Shafali Verma.
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur, playing her fifth World Cup, brings experience and a tournament average of over 50. Jemimah Rodrigues adds stability to the middle order, while Richa Ghosh, Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, and Amanjot Kaur provide depth across batting and bowling.
Bowling Concerns
India’s pace attack remains relatively inexperienced. Renuka Singh Thakur returns from injury to lead the pace attack, supported by Kranti Goud, Arundhati Reddy, and Amanjot Kaur, who collectively have just 25 ODIs’ experience. Injuries remain a concern, with Reddy sidelined in a warm-up match and Amanjot returning from a minor setback. India’s spin quartet—Deepti Sharma, Radha Yadav, Sneh Rana, and N Sree Charani—is suited to home conditions, though the flat pitches at Guwahati may limit assistance.
Home Advantage and Stakes
A World Cup win at home could transform Indian women’s cricket, boosting grassroots investment, strengthening calls for pay parity, and inspiring millions of young girls. With five of eight league matches at home, India will enjoy familiar conditions and passionate crowds.
Sri Lanka Preview
Co-hosts Sri Lanka, led by veteran Chamari Athapaththu, return after missing out on the 2022 World Cup. They rely on 20-year-old all-rounder Dewmi Vihanga, who impressed recently with 11 wickets in a tri-nation series, including 5/43 against South Africa. Athapaththu, alongside Harshitha Samarawickrama and Vishmi Gunaratne, provides batting firepower, but the bowling attack remains inconsistent.
Pitch Report: ACA Barsapara Stadium
The Guwahati pitch is expected to favour batters more than bowlers. According to the curator, “Barsapara wicket never assisted spin. It has always been a good, sporting wicket.” While India’s strength lies in spin, the return of pacer Renuka Singh may offer a shift in bowling strategy.
Head-to-Head Record
India Women hold a dominant record against Sri Lanka in ODIs, winning 31 of 35 matches. Recent performances underline India as firm favourites for the opener.
Predicted Playing XIs
India: Pratika Rawal, Smriti Mandhana, Harleen Deol, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wk), Sneh Rana, Radha Yadav, Kranti Gaud, Renuka Singh Thakur
Sri Lanka: Hasini Perera, Chamari Athapaththu (c), Harshitha Samarawickrama, Vishmi Gunaratne, Anushka Sanjeewani (wk), Kavisha Dilhari, Dewmi Vihanga, Piumi Wathsala, Achini Kulasuriya, Udeshika Prabodhani, Malki Madara
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