Sri Lanka produced a clinical bowling display to shock co-hosts India in the opening match of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 after rain reduced the contest to 48 overs a side.
Rain delays start
Persistent drizzle delayed the toss and kept players off the field for nearly 80 minutes. When play began, India lost opener Smriti Mandhana early, caught at deep cover for just eight. The hosts were 43/1 in 10 overs when rain again halted proceedings.
Ranaweera’s decisive spell
Left-arm spinner Inoka Ranaweera turned the match with a game-changing over. She dismissed Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues and captain Harmanpreet Kaur in quick succession, leaving India tottering at 121/5. Later, she also removed Pratika Rawal, who top-scored with 37.
Sri Lanka tighten grip
Udeshika Prabodhani set the tone by removing Mandhana, while skipper Chamari Athapaththu added to India’s woes by sending back Richa Ghosh. Despite a fighting 50-run stand in the middle overs, India struggled to recover from the collapse.
Tournament curtain-raiser
The clash marked the start of the 14th edition of the Women’s World Cup, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. The visitors, making their first appearance in the tournament since 2013, revived memories of their previous World Cup win over India on Indian soil.
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