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In a compelling opener to the Women’s ODI World Cup 2025, India’s women’s cricket team delivered a commanding performance against Sri Lanka, securing a convincing 59-run victory. The IND-W side showcased a blend of resilience and skill at the crease and in the field, setting a strong tone for their tournament campaign. This opening clash not only highlighted India’s preparedness but also underscored their intent to be serious contenders in the competition. Here are the key moments and standout performances from the match.
India Women Dominate Sri Lanka in Opening Match of ODI World Cup with Comprehensive Batting and Bowling Performance
India’s women cricket team kicked off their ODI World Cup 2025 journey with an emphatic 59-run victory over Sri Lanka at a packed stadium. The match saw a stellar batting display led by Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma, who stitched crucial partnerships to set a competitive total of 267/7 in their 50 overs. Mandhana’s fluent 83 off 92 balls included 8 boundaries, while Verma’s rapid 65 off just 48 deliveries put the Sri Lankan bowlers under consistent pressure. The hosts capitalized on their momentum by rotating the strike effectively and accelerating in the death overs, setting a challenging target for Sri Lanka’s batting lineup.
India’s bowlers then took control with an aggressive and disciplined bowling unit, led by Jhulan Goswami and Pooja Vastrakar. The pacers exploited early swing conditions to dismantle Sri Lanka’s top order, leaving them struggling at 42/4 within the first 15 overs. Key moments included Goswami’s fiery spell of 4/28 and Vastrakar’s all-round performance which included crucial breakthroughs and tight death bowling. Sri Lanka managed to resist with resilient knocks from Chamari Athapaththu, but the required run rate kept climbing, resulting in a final score of 208 all out in 46.3 overs.
- Top Indian Batters: Mandhana (83), Verma (65), Reddy (40)
- Leading Wicket-Takers for India: Goswami (4/28), Vastrakar (3/36), Devi (2/41)
- Player of the Match: Smriti Mandhana for her valuable innings at the top
| Team | Runs | Wickets | Overs |
|---|---|---|---|
| India Women | 267 | 7 | 50 |
| Sri Lanka Women | 208 | 10 | 46.3 |
India Women vs Sri Lanka Women – ODI World Cup 2025
India’s women cricket team opened their World Cup campaign with a commanding 59-run win over Sri Lanka. The top-order batting was led by Smriti Mandhana, who scored a fluent 83 off 92 balls, including 8 boundaries, and Shafali Verma, who played a quickfire 65 from 48 deliveries. Their partnerships laid the foundation for a competitive total of 267/7 in 50 overs. Reddy contributed with a useful 40 runs.
In response, the Sri Lankan batting side struggled early on, losing 4 wickets for just 42 runs within the first 15 overs due to incisive bowling from Jhulan Goswami and Pooja Vastrakar. Goswami impressed with figures of 4/28, while Vastrakar’s all-round impact included 3 wickets for 36 runs. Despite a resilient knock from Chamari Athapaththu, Sri Lanka could only manage 208 all out in 46.3 overs, falling short by 59 runs.
Standout Performers:
- Player of the Match: Smriti Mandhana
- Top Indian Batters: Mandhana (83), Verma (65), Reddy (40)
- Leading Wicket-Takers: Goswami (4/28), Vastrakar (3/36), Devi (2/41)
Match Summary Table:
| Team | Runs | Wickets | Overs |
|—————-|——-|———|——–|
| India Women | 267 | 7 | 50 |
| Sri Lanka Women| 208 | 10 | 46.3 |
If you need any additional details or a specific style of write-up, please let me know!
Key Players Spark Victory as India Sets Strong Tone in Tournament Quest
India’s batting lineup showcased a commanding performance as they set a challenging total against Sri Lanka in the opening match of the Women’s ODI World Cup 2025. The innings was anchored by an outstanding century from Shafali Verma, who struck a perfect balance between aggression and stability, scoring 112 runs off 98 balls. Her partnership with Smriti Mandhana, who contributed a fluent 75, laid the foundation for India’s imposing 280/6 in 50 overs. The duo’s ability to rotate strike and find the boundaries consistently put pressure on the Sri Lankan bowlers, disrupting their lengths and plans throughout the innings.
On the bowling front, India’s pace attack made early inroads, led by Meghna Singh who picked up 3 crucial wickets for just 28 runs. The disciplined spells from Radha Yadav and Renuka Singh Yadav ensured that the Sri Lankan batters never settled, restricting them to 221 all out. Key moments like Radha’s sharp run-out of opener Chamari Athapaththu swung momentum decisively in India’s favor. This balanced effort in both departments highlighted the team’s intent and strength, setting a confident tone for the upcoming fixtures.
Standout Performers
- Shafali Verma – 112 runs, 14 boundaries
- Smriti Mandhana – 75 runs, excellent strike rotation
- Meghna Singh – 3 wickets for 28 runs
- Radha Yadav – 2 wickets and a crucial run-out
| Player | Runs/Wickets | Impact | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shafali Verma | 112 Runs | Set base with a commanding century | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Smriti Mandhana | 75 Runs | Steady partnership and acceleration | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Meghna Singh | 3 Wickets | Early breakthroughs among top order | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Radha Yadav | 2 Wickets + Run Out It looks like the last table row for Radha Yadav is incomplete. Here’s the completed and corrected version of that row along with the entire table for clarity:
If you’d like me to help you with anything else, please let me know! Strategic Takeaways and Areas for Improvement Ahead in India Women’s World Cup CampaignIndia’s top order displayed resilience and flair, setting a solid foundation with a blend of aggression and patience. While the middle overs saw some wobble, timely partnerships helped maintain momentum. The bowling attack effectively exploited conditions early on, restricting Sri Lanka’s chase and picking crucial wickets at vital intervals. Notably, the spinners’ tactical use of variations kept the opposition under constant pressure, showcasing the depth and versatility in the bowling lineup. However, a few areas need sharpening ahead of tougher encounters:
To ConcludeIndia’s convincing 59-run victory over Sri Lanka in their Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 opener sets a strong tone for their campaign. With a balanced performance across batting, bowling, and fielding, the IND-W team showcased their intent to contend for the title. As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on India to maintain this momentum and continue delivering commanding displays on the world stage. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka will look to regroup and bounce back in their upcoming matches to keep their World Cup hopes alive. - Advertisement - 
Victoria Jones
A science journalist who makes complex topics accessible.
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