In a rain-interrupted thriller, hosts India Women kicked off their ICC Women's ODI World Cup 2025 campaign with a commanding 59-run victory over Sri Lanka at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium. Batting first in a match reduced to 47 overs per side game, India recovered from a mid-innings wobble to post 269 for 8, powered by gritty half-centuries from Amanjot Kaur (57) and Deepti Sharma (53). Sri Lanka, chasing a revised target of 270, crumbled to 211 all out in 38.4 overs, handing India a morale-boosting start in their quest for a maiden World Cup title on home soil.
The real star of the post-match ceremony, however, was Deepti Sharma, who scooped the Player of the Match award, wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh earned the best fielder medal for her
glovework behind the stumps. The inaugural fielding medal in the Indian women's camp was presented by BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia.
“I wish that I repeat such performances in the tournament further,” Richa Ghosh stated after the match. She earned the medal for her catch to dismiss Kavisha Dilhari off a length delivery in the middle stump line by Deepti Sharma. Richa anticipated it first and then moved sharply to her left to complete the catch, albeit via a parry off the pad. Ultraedge confirmed the involvement of bat, and India got their fifth scalp further bolstering the chances of their win.
Deepti Sharma awarded Player of the Match in India’s fifth straight win against Sri Lanka in ODIs
Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu, opted to bowl under overcast skies, banking on swing and seam. India's top order, featuring the duo of Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal, started tentatively. Mandhana fell early for 12, slicing a wide delivery from Prabodhani to cover. Rawal, the promising left-hander from Baroda, anchored with 38, but got dismissed holing out to deep midwicket off Inoka Ranaweera's left-arm spin. From 120 for 3, India hemorrhaged to 124 for 6 in the space of 13 balls. Harleen Deol (22) misjudged a sweep against Sugandika Kumari, Harmanpreet Kaur (18) dragged on to Ranaweera, Jemimah Rodrigues (0) edged a rash cut, and Richa Ghosh herself (2) spooned a sitter to cover off Athapaththu. Deepti Sharma and Amanjot Kaur then scripted one of the great World Cup rearguards. The duo plundered 145 runs for the seventh wicket, the highest stand for that wicket in Women's ODI World Cups. Amanjot smashed 57 off 58 balls, while Deepti reached her 16th ODI fifty off 50 balls, scoring 53.
Deepti dismantled the Sri Lankan middle order with her off-spin. She dismissed skipper Chamari Athapaththu, Kavisha Dilhari and Anushka Sanjeewani in ten overs. Her spell earned her the player of the match award in the tournament opener. For India, this win was their fifth straight ODI triumph over Sri Lanka - a statement of intent in a tournament they craved to conquer, 28 years after their solitary final appearance.
