India Stuns Sri Lanka by 59 Runs in Women's World Cup Opener

India Stuns Sri Lanka by 59 Runs in Women's World Cup Opener

During the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025New Delhi, Harmanpreet Kaur, captain of India women's cricket team guided her side to a 59‑run triumph over Sri Lanka Cricket. The win not only set the tone for the host nation’s campaign but also handed the world‑number‑three side a much‑needed boost ahead of what many are calling a historic tournament.

Tournament Overview

The 13th edition of the Women's World Cup returns to India after a twelve‑year gap, sharing venues with co‑host Colombo. Eight powerhouses – Australia, England, India, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Pakistan – will battle through 28 league matches for a record‑shattering prize pool of USD 13.88 million. That figure eclipses even the men’s 2023 edition, signaling how quickly the women’s game is growing in commercial clout.

India’s Opening Victory

Batting first, India posted 204‑4, thanks to a blistering 78 from Smriti Mandhana. The left‑hander, who wrapped up the previous season with four centuries and an average north of 66, anchored the innings while younger guns like Pratika Rawal added useful runs at the end. Sri Lanka’s chase floundered after they lost early wickets; Renuka Singh delivered 3 for 31 with disciplined seam, and the spin duo of Deepti Sharma and Radha Yadav squeezed out crucial breakthroughs.

Key Performers for India

Smriti Mandhana – 78 off 71, 111 % strike rate, the finest display of her career.

• Four centuries in the 2024‑25 season.
• Average of 66.4 across 12 ODIs before the World Cup.

Renuka Singh – Returned from a niggling back injury to claim three wickets.

• Fast‑bowling pace topping 115 km/h.
• Career best figures of 4/27 in a tri‑series last year.

Deepti Sharma – Provided the crucial middle‑over spell, ending with 2/24.

• All‑rounder with 650 runs and 23 wickets in ODIs.
• Leader of India’s spin attack alongside Yadav.

Sri Lanka’s Response and Co‑Host Role

Captaining the side, Chamari Athapaththu tried to steady the ship with a gritty 45, but the pressure of a demanding target proved too much. The 20‑year‑old prodigy Dewmi Vihanga showed flashes of brilliance, taking two wickets, yet the team’s depth in pace remains a concern after injuries to key bowlers. As co‑hosts, Sri Lanka will enjoy five home games in Colombo, the next big showdown slated for October 5 against India – a match many expect to draw packed stands.

Favorites and Contenders

Australia enters as the overwhelming favourite, boasting seven World Cup titles and a squad spearheaded by Alyssa Healy. England, New Zealand and South Africa also possess the firepower to upset the odds, making the group stage a real "winner‑takes‑all" affair. For India, the path is anything but smooth – they must navigate a gauntlet of elite sides while keeping an eye on the looming psychological baggage of past near‑misses.

Psychological Pressure and Home Advantage

India’s history in major tournaments reads like a series of heartbreaks: the 2005 World Cup final loss to Australia, the heartbreaking 2017 final defeat, and the narrow miss at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Those scars linger, but playing on familiar pitches and feeding off a boisterous home crowd could be the X‑factor. Former India bowler Kapil Dev (quoted in a pre‑tournament interview) said, “When the stadium roars for you, the pressure turns into fuel.”

Looking Ahead

With the opening win secured, India now faces a crucial second‑round match against England on October 3. A victory would catapult them into the top two of Group A, setting up a potential semi‑final clash with Australia. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka hopes to bounce back against Bangladesh, aiming to salvage pride before the Colombo showdown.