The ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 kicked off with a thumping victory for the Indian Women's Cricket Team. In the inaugural match played in Mumbai, India defeated Sri Lanka by 59 runs under the DLS method, marking a winning start to the tournament.
Sports News: Thanks to half-centuries from Amanjot Kaur and Deepti Sharma, coupled with a brilliant performance by their spin bowlers, India defeated Sri Lanka by 59 runs via the DLS method in the rain-affected 47-over inaugural match of the ICC Women's ODI World Cup on Tuesday. With this victory, the Indian team made a magnificent start to their World Cup campaign.
Chasing a target of 271 runs under the Duckworth-Lewis method, the Sri Lankan team was bundled out for 211 runs in 45.4 overs against the Indian spin attack. Deepti Sharma took three wickets for 54 runs, Sneh Rana claimed two wickets for 32 runs, and left-arm spinner Shree Charani secured two wickets for 37 runs.
India's Innings: A Strong Score After Overcoming a Poor Start
Batting first after winning the toss, the Indian team had a disappointing start. Sri Lankan bowler Inoka Ranaweera rattled the Indian top order with her sharp spin. Smriti Mandhana (8), Jemimah Rodrigues (0), captain Harmanpreet Kaur (21), and Harleen Deol (48) were dismissed quickly, returning to the pavilion. With six wickets down for 124 runs, India was in trouble.
However, Amanjot Kaur and Deepti Sharma turned the tide of the match with a 103-run partnership for the seventh wicket. Amanjot displayed an excellent blend of composure and aggression, scoring 57 runs off 56 balls, including five fours and one six. On the other hand, the experienced Deepti Sharma played a crucial innings of 53 runs off 53 balls.
Finally, Sneh Rana contributed a quickfire 28 runs off just 15 balls (two fours and two sixes). Thus, India posted 269 runs for eight wickets in their allotted 47 overs.
Sri Lanka's Reply: Batting Caught in the Spin Web
Chasing the target, the Sri Lankan team started cautiously. Captain Chamari Athapaththu attempted to stabilize the team with an innings of 43 runs, including four fours and three sixes. Hasini Perera (14), Harshitha Samarawickrama (29), and Nilakshika Silva (35) also contributed, but the Sri Lankan batters could not withstand the Indian spinners.
In India's bowling, Deepti Sharma was the most successful, bagging three wickets for 54 runs. Besides her, Sneh Rana took two wickets for 32 runs, and left-arm spinner Shree Charani claimed two wickets for 37 runs. The entire Sri Lankan team was bowled out for 211 runs in 45.4 overs, and India won the match by 59 runs.
