Snehasis Mukherjee in Guwahati
India Women were on the brink of humiliation in the first innings of their home ODI World Cup campaign. But a crucial 103-run partnership between Amanjot Kaur and Deepti Sharma helped the Women in Blue post a competitive 269/8 at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati.
It was a nightmare start after being asked to bat first. All eyes were on the opening pair of Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal. A solid start was needed, but after adding only 14 runs, Mandhana fell to veteran pacer Udeshika Prabodhani for just eight. Harleen Deol came in at No. 3 and tried to build with Pratika, but Sri Lanka’s discipline with ball and in the field kept India in check. At the 10-over mark, India were 43/1.
Rain then interrupted play for an hour and a half, reducing the game to 48 overs a side. But Sri Lanka continued their tight bowling and sharp fielding. The pitch slowed down, and the visitors adjusted well. Pratika and Harleen found it hard to score. In the 16th over, Pratika finally broke free with the first six of the tournament, but soon after she fell for 37 (59) to Inoka Ranaweera.
Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur arrived with intent, playing sweeps and drives from the start. Harleen too released pressure with two boundaries off Athapaththu in the 25th over. At 120/2, both looked set for a strong stand.
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But Ranaweera changed everything. In the 26th over, she dismissed Harleen for 48, Jemimah Rodrigues for a golden duck, and Harmanpreet for 21 (19). Her ball to Jemimah was unplayable, clipping off stump. The collapse continued as Athapaththu dismissed Richa Ghosh for two. From 120/2, India suddenly slipped to 124/6.
Sri Lanka’s plans for each batter worked perfectly. Pressure was constant, and India’s middle order crumbled.
But then came the rescue act. Deepti and Amanjot stood tall. Amanjot, playing her first competitive game since a back injury earlier this year, brought up a fighting fifty in her World Cup debut.
Rain returned briefly, reducing the match to 47 overs each. Still, Amanjot and Deepti rotated the strike well, mixed in boundaries, and shifted momentum. Sri Lanka’s fielding slipped, with Amanjot dropped three times — by Achini Kalasuriya, Nilakshika Silva, and Ranaweera herself.
Their 103-run partnership ended when Vishmi Gunaratne held a brilliant catch to dismiss Amanjot for 57 off 56. Prabodhani claimed her second wicket. Deepti scored 53 off 53 before departing, while Sneh Rana smashed an unbeaten 28 off 15, striking at 186.66. Their late 42-run stand lifted India to 269/8 in 47 overs.
From 124/6 to 269/8, it was a remarkable recovery. But is it enough? The answer now lies with India’s bowlers.
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