Snehasis Mukherjee in Guwahati
Deepti Sharma’s all-round contribution ensured a convincing 59-run win for India Women over Sri Lanka as they began their home ODI World Cup journey at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati.
While defending 271, the Indian bowlers knew an early wicket was key, and Kranti Gaud delivered. In the seventh over, she removed Hasini Perera for 14. After that, skipper Chamari Athapaththu and Harshitha Samarawickrama built a steady 52-run stand for the second wicket.
Athapaththu looked dangerous, especially against Deepti Sharma. She smashed the all-rounder for two sixes and two fours. But Deepti struck back, dismissing the Sri Lankan captain for 43 to turn the game.
India tightened their grip with regular strikes. In back-to-back overs (23rd and 24th), Sri Lanka lost Samarawickrama (29 off 45) and Vishmi Gunaratne (11 off 28).
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Hopes then rested on Kavisha Dilhari and Anushka Sanjeewani. But they too fell cheaply. Dilhari was caught brilliantly by Richa Ghosh down the leg side. At the end of 29 overs, Sri Lanka needed 131 runs with only four wickets in hand and 18 overs left.
Nilakshika Silva tried to fight back, hitting a few boundaries. She even got a lifeline when Kranti dropped a sitter. But Sneh Rana soon ended her stay, removing her for 35.
The rest of the line-up couldn’t handle the pressure. Sri Lanka were bowled out for 211, falling well short of the target.
Earlier, India were asked to bat first and it was a disappointing start for Smriti Mandhana, who was dismissed for just eight runs. After 10 overs, rain stopped play for one and a half hours.
Once the match resumed, Pratika Rawal and Harleen Deol continued to struggle as Sri Lanka’s bowlers maintained discipline and backed it up with excellent ground fielding. Pratika’s 37-run stay ended, but then Harmanpreet Kaur joined Harleen and the pair lifted India to 120/2.
Just when it looked like a recovery, Inoka Ranaweera changed the game. In a single over, she dismissed Harleen, Harmanpreet, and Jemimah Rodrigues. Soon after, Richa Ghosh also fell cheaply. The collapse left India reeling at 124/6.
That’s when Amanjot Kaur (57) and Deepti Sharma (53) stepped up. Their 103-run partnership rescued the innings, before Sneh Rana played a quick, unbeaten cameo of 28*. Thanks to their efforts, India posted 269/8 in 47 overs.
With rain interruptions and the DLS method, Sri Lanka were handed a revised target of 271 in 47 overs.
Deepti was named Player of the Match for her three wickets and half-century.
Also Read: Amanjot, Deepti rescue India after top-order collapse in World Cup opener