Snehasis Mukherjee in Guwahati
The Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati is set to host the opening match of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 on September 30 between India and Sri Lanka. Assam recently mourned the loss of one of its favourite sons, singer Zubeen Garg.
Now, this World Cup could bring a fresh breath of hope. A 40-minute tribute in memory of the singer will take place before the toss. After that, all focus will shift when Harmanpreet Kaur and her team begin their journey towards glory, aiming to lift the trophy for the first time.
Head-to-Head in ODIs
- Overall: 35 matches, India 31, Sri Lanka 3, No result 1
- In India: 10 matches, India 9, Sri Lanka 1
- In Women’s ODI World Cups: 5 matches, India 3, Sri Lanka 1, No result 1
Current form
India
The hosts recently lost an ODI series 1-2 against Australia at home. Before that, they enjoyed a long run of success in the 50-over format. Earlier this year, they beat Ireland 3-0 at home and won a tri-nation ODI series in Sri Lanka, defeating South Africa and the hosts.
They toured England and won the three-match ODI series 2-1. In 14 ODIs this year, India have won 10 and lost 4 (two against Australia, one against Sri Lanka, and one against England).
In the warm-ups, India lost their first game by 153 runs against England in Bengaluru but bounced back with a 4-wicket win against New Zealand in the second game.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka have struggled in ODIs this year. Out of eight matches, they won two, lost five, while one ended without a result. They began with a series loss against New Zealand.
In the tri-nation series, they beat India and South Africa once, but lost to India in the final by 97 runs in Colombo on May 11. Since then, they have not played any competitive game.
In the recent warm-ups in Colombo, the first game against Pakistan ended with no result due to rain after 7.3 overs. In the second game, they lost by one run against Bangladesh.
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Players to watch out for
India
Smriti Mandhana
Team India’s vice-captain and the world’s No. 1-ranked batter in WODIs will be the key for the home side. She was outstanding against Australia, finishing as Player of the Series and top-scorer with 300 runs in three innings. She averaged 100.00 at a strike rate of 138.24, scoring one fifty (58) and two centuries (117, 125).
Sneh Rana
Rana has great numbers against Sri Lanka. In the tri-nation series earlier this year, she was Player of the Series with 15 wickets, 10 of which came against Sri Lanka. The off-spinner’s figures were 3/45 (10), 3/31 (8), and 4/38 (9.2) in the final. Sri Lankan batters struggled against her, and that could be a key factor again in Guwahati.
Sri Lanka
Chamari Athapaththu
The skipper’s all-round game will be vital. Since the 2022 ODI World Cup, she is the third-highest run-scorer among captains, with 815 runs in 11 innings at an average of 101.87 and a strike rate of 118.80. This includes two fifties and four centuries.
She recently won the WCPL 2025 title with Barbados Royals, finishing as the highest run-getter with 194 in five innings (average 38.80, strike rate 114.79, 1 fifty). She was also the third-highest wicket-taker with seven wickets in five games (economy 9.42) and was named Player of the Tournament.
Dewmi Vihanga
The 20-year-old bowling all-rounder has already made an impression in her four ODIs, taking 11 wickets at an economy of 5.30. Against India in the tri-nation series, she played two matches, taking three wickets at an economy of 6.15.
Probable Playing XIs
India
Smriti Mandhana, Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Sree Charani, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gaud.
Sri Lanka
Chamari Athapaththu (c), Hasini Perera, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Vishmi Gunarathne, Nilakshika Silva, Anushka Sanjeewani (wk), Dewmi Vihanga, Malki Madara, Sugandika Dasanayaka, Inoka Ranaweera, Udeshika Prabodhani.
Also Read: Amanjot back bowling long spells before India’s World Cup opener