Deepti Sharma Powers India to Win in WC Opener
In a rain-affected opening match of the 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup, India beat Sri Lanka by 59 runs via the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method. The match was held at Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati.
India’s innings was rescued by a strong lower-order show. After collapsing to 124 for 6, Deepti Sharma (53 off 53) and Amanjot Kaur (57 off 56) stitched together a seventh-wicket stand of 103 runs, helping India post 269 for 8 in 47 overs (reduced by rain).
Sri Lanka responded strongly early on, with Chamari Athapaththu top-scoring with 43, and a 52-run second-wicket stand with Harshitha Samarawickrama (29). But they slipped in the middle overs under tight Indian bowling. Inoka Ranaweera claimed 4 wickets for 46 runs, while Deepti Sharma added 3 for 54 to finish the innings. Sri Lanka were bowled out for 211 in 46 overs, losing by 59 runs under DLS.
Sharma’s all-round performance also took her to second place on India’s all-time women’s ODI wicket-takers list. India’s captain Harmanpreet Kaur praised the team’s resilience under pressure, while Sharma said the win came from precise execution of their game plan.
India will next face Pakistan, while Sri Lanka take on Australia in their next match.
