India vs Sri Lanka ICC Women’s World Cup: India Women Eye Title Breakthrough At Home | Cricket News

With home advantage and current form on their side, the Indian women’s cricket team will aim to end a 47-year wait for its maiden ICC title when they begin their ODI World Cup campaign against Sri Lanka on Tuesday. Ranked No. 3 in the world, the Harmanpreet Kaur-led squad will look to capitalize on their familiarity with local conditions as the tournament returns to India after 12 years.

What: India vs Sri Lanka ICC Women’s ODI World Cup Match 1

When: September 30, Tuesday

Where: Barsapara Stadium, Guwahati

Time: Toss at 2:30 PM IST, Match Begins At 3 PM IST

India Team News

India enters the 13th edition of the tournament with momentum, having recently defeated England in both ODI and T20I series while also snapping a losing streak against Australia. In fact, they nearly chased down 413 in the final ODI in New Delhi against the seven-time champions, further underlining their growing confidence.

Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana, in the form of her career, remains the batting linchpin. With four ODI centuries this year—including two consecutive hundreds against Australia—Mandhana is averaging 66.28 at a strike rate of 115.85.

Her partnerships with young opener Pratika Rawal, who has impressed in Shafali Verma’s absence, provide India a solid platform at the top.

Harmanpreet, playing her fifth World Cup, also thrives in big tournaments, boasting an average of over 50. She recently struck a century against England and followed it with a half-century versus Australia.

The middle order gains stability with Jemimah Rodrigues returning from injury, having scored a fluent 66 in a warm-up game.

Richa Ghosh, Harleen Deol, and Deepti Sharma offer further strength, while Amanjot Kaur adds depth as a seam-bowling all-rounder.

On the bowling front, Renuka Singh’s return from injury is a major boost, as she will spearhead a relatively inexperienced pace attack.

Beyond Renuka, India’s pacers—Kranti, Arundhati Reddy, and Amanjot—have limited experience, and injuries remain a concern.

Reddy had to be stretchered off during a warm-up game, while Amanjot had just recovered from a scare.

The spin department, led by Deepti Sharma, Radha Yadav, Sneh Rana, and N Sree Charani, appears well-suited for subcontinental tracks, though the flat pitches may reduce turn.

Sri Lanka Team News

Tournament co-hosts Sri Lanka, led by Chamari Athapaththu, return to the World Cup after missing out on qualification in 2022. Sri Lanka will rely on 20-year-old all-rounder Dewmi Vihanga, who has already shown her pedigree in the format.

At a Tri-Nation series, she took 11 wickets, including a match-winning 5/43 against South Africa, finishing as the tournament’s second-highest wicket-taker.

With five of their league games scheduled at home, they will be boosted by familiar conditions and strong crowd support and could fancy their chances to be among top four.

Squads:

India: Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Smriti Mandhana (vice captain), Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh, Uma Chetry, Renuka Singh Thakur, Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Sree Charani, Radha Yadav, Amanjot Kaur, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gaud.

Sri Lanka: Chamari Athapaththu (captain), Hasini Perera, Vishmi Gunarathne, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Kavisha Dilhari, Nilakshi De Silva, Anushka Sanjeewani, Imesha Dulani, Dewmi Vihanga, Piumi Wathsala, Inoka Ranaweera, Sugandika Kumari, Udeshika Prabodani, Malki Madara, Achini Kulasooriya.