IND-W vs SL-W World Cup Opener: Hosts India Look for Dominant Start Against Sri Lanka
IND-W vs SL-W Match Preview – The much-anticipated ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 kicks off with co-hosts India taking on their neighbors Sri Lanka in what promises to be an exciting encounter at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, September 30th. Playing in front of a passionate home crowd, the Harmanpreet Kaur-led Indian side will be eager to begin their campaign with a resounding victory and set the tone for the rest of the tournament.
India enters the World Cup in good form, having recently secured a series win against England and pushed the formidable Australian side in a closely contested series. Their batting, in particular, looks potent with the likes of Smriti Mandhana and captain Harmanpreet Kaur in sublime touch. However, they will be wary of a spirited Sri Lankan side, led by the dynamic Chamari Atapattu, who are known for their fighting spirit and ability to cause upsets.
IND-W vs SL-W Match Details
IND-W vs SL-W Head-to-Head
India has historically dominated the rivalry with Sri Lanka in the 50-over format. The two teams have met on numerous occasions, with the Women in Blue holding a significant advantage. This psychological edge will certainly boost India’s confidence going into this crucial opening fixture.
IND-W vs SL-W Pitch Report
The wicket at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati is generally known to be batting-friendly. The surface offers good bounce and carry, allowing batters to play their shots with confidence. The new ball might offer some assistance to the seamers in the initial overs, but as the game progresses, it is expected to become a good batting track. Spinners could come into play in the middle overs as the pitch slows down a bit. A high-scoring encounter could be on the cards, and the team winning the toss might look to bat first and put a big total on the board.
IND-W vs SL-W Weather Report
The weather in Guwahati on Tuesday could play a significant role. The forecast suggests a warm and humid day with scattered thunderstorms expected in the afternoon and evening. There is a 35% chance of precipitation during the day, which could lead to interruptions. The temperature is expected to be around 35°C. Teams will have to be mindful of the weather conditions and potential DLS calculations.
IND-W vs SL-W Squads
India Women (IND-W) Squad: Pratika Rawal, Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur(C), Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh(WK), Sneh Rana, Amanjot Kaur, Renuka Singh, Radha Yadav, Arundathi Reddy, Harleen Deol, Yastika Bhatia(WK), NR-Shree Charani, Kranti Gaud
Sri Lanka Women (SL-W) Squad: Chamari Atapattu(C), Hasini Perera, Vishmi Rajapaksha, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Kavisha Dilhari, Nilakshi de Silva, Anushka Sanjeewani(WK), Dewmi Vihanga, Malki Madara, Inoka Ranaweera, Sugandika Kumari, Udeshika Prabodhani, Imesha Dulani, Piyumi Wathsala, Achini Kulasuriya
IND-W vs SL-W Possible Playing11
India Women (IND-W): Smriti Mandhana, Pratika Rawal, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Amanjot Kaur, Radha Yadav, Renuka Singh, Kranti Gaud.
Sri Lanka Women (SL-W): Chamari Atapattu (c), Harshitha Samarawickrama, Vishmi Rajapaksha, Nilakshi de Silva, Kavisha Dilhari, Anushka Sanjeewani (wk), Hasini Perera, Inoka Ranaweera, Sugandika Kumari, Udeshika Prabodhani, Achini Kulasuriya.
IND-W vs SL-W Match Prediction
India Women will start the match as firm favorites, given their current form, superior head-to-head record, and the advantage of playing in home conditions. Their batting lineup is one of the most formidable in the world, and if they fire in unison, they could take the game away from Sri Lanka.
However, Sri Lanka, under the astute leadership of Chamari Atapattu, cannot be taken lightly. Atapattu herself is a world-class all-rounder who can single-handedly change the course of a match. The Sri Lankan bowlers, particularly the experienced Inoka Ranaweera, will be key to their chances of restricting the powerful Indian batting.
While an upset is not out of the question, India’s overall strength and depth make them the likely winners of this World Cup opener. Expect a dominant performance from the hosts to kickstart their campaign.
Prediction: India Women to win.
