Deepti, Amanjot rescue act helps Indian women to beat Sri Lanka by 59 runs in ODI World cup

 

India’s women’s cricket team kicked off their World Cup campaign with a convincing 59-run victory over Sri Lanka via the Duckworth-Lewis method, though their overall performance left lingering doubts about their title credentials—particularly the fragility of their middle order. India’s 269 for 8 was enough to outclass Sri Lanka, whose chase fizzled out at 211 in 45.3 overs, well short of the revised target of 271 from 47 overs.

From the outset, India’s batters struggled to assert dominance in overcast conditions. Sri Lankan skipper Chamari Athapaththu’s decision to field first after winning the toss appeared sound, as the damp Guwahati pitch offered plenty of assistance to her spinners. The Indian innings started on a shaky note, with opener Smriti Mandhana departing early for just 8 runs, caught off a poor stroke in the fourth over.

Stabilizing the innings, youngster Pritika Rawal and Harleen Deol stitched together a gritty stand of 67 runs. Rawal, composed yet restrained, made 37 off 59 deliveries before falling, while Harleen combined with captain Harmanpreet Kaur for a laborious 39-run partnership. Their inability to accelerate left India at a cautious 84 for 2 after 20 overs, further pressured by rain interruptions that had already trimmed the match to 48 overs per side.

The momentum swung violently in the 26th over when left-arm spinner Inoka Ranaweera struck thrice in quick succession, dismissing Harleen (48), Jemimah Rodrigues (0), and Harmanpreet (21). In the space of just 12 balls, India collapsed from 120 for 2 to 124 for 6, exposing their vulnerable middle order. Richa Ghosh’s dismissal for 2 only compounded the crisis.

Salvation came in the form of an inspired 103-run partnership between the resolute Deepti Sharma and debutant Amanjot Kaur. Benefiting from Sri Lanka’s sloppy fielding—which included four dropped catches—the pair rebuilt the innings with maturity. Amanjot sparkled with a fluent 57 from 56 balls, decorated with five crisp boundaries and a towering six, marking her maiden ODI half-century. Deepti, the epitome of composure, anchored the effort with a steady 53 off 53 deliveries. Their partnership, followed by Sneh Rana’s late fireworks—an unbeaten 28 off 15 balls with two fours and two sixes—lifted India to a competitive 269.

For Sri Lanka, Ranaweera was the standout bowler with figures of 4 for 46, while Udeshika Prabodhani chipped in with 2 wickets.

Chasing a daunting revised target, Sri Lanka began promisingly after losing Hasini Perera early. Athapaththu, characteristically aggressive, and Harshitha Samarawickrama added 52 runs, briefly unsettling India’s bowlers. Athapaththu’s quickfire 43 from 47 balls, featuring four boundaries and three sixes, gave the chase momentum, but her dismissal to Deepti tilted the balance decisively.

From there, Sri Lanka’s innings unraveled. The required run rate climbed steeply as India’s spinners, led by Deepti, Rana, and Charani , suffocated the scoring. Harshitha’s 29 from 45 balls was the last flicker of resistance in the top order. The middle and lower order—comprising Vishmi Gunaratne (11), Kavisha Dilhari (15), and Anushka Sanjeewani (6)—failed to produce anything substantial. Nilakshika Silva offered brief resistance with a brisk 35 off 29 balls, but it was too little, too late.

Ultimately, India closed out the win, though not without hiccups in dismissing Sri Lanka’s tail.

The result brings India two points to start their World Cup journey, but the concerns are unmistakable—a brittle middle order, inconsistent batting rhythm, and heavy reliance on their all-rounders. Against stronger opposition, such lapses could prove costly.

Deepti Sharma for her 3 wickets & 53 not out was awarded the player of match.