The much-awaited ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 kicks off with a marquee clash as India Women lock horns with Sri Lanka Women at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on September 30. This contest is not just the tournament opener—it is also symbolic of the rising stature of women’s cricket in South Asia. Both India and Sri Lanka are co-hosting the event, making this opener doubly special, with passionate home crowds expected to create a vibrant atmosphere.
India enter this game with momentum and confidence, having built a reputation as one of the world’s most consistent ODI teams. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, will be driven by the desire to punch above their weight, upset the odds, and make a statement on home soil.
Tournament Context and the Significance of the Opener
Opening matches in World Cups carry weight far beyond points. They set the tone for the tournament, establish momentum, and provide teams with an early psychological edge. For India, a victory would reaffirm their position as a strong contender for the trophy and help them maintain the rhythm from their recent overseas success in England. For Sri Lanka, upsetting a heavyweight like India would be a dream start and inject confidence into their campaign.
The choice of Guwahati as the venue adds intrigue. With India and Sri Lanka both co-hosting, the Barsapara Cricket Stadium symbolizes inclusivity and the growing reach of women’s cricket into new regions. A packed stadium underlines the fact that women’s cricket in South Asia is no longer a niche—it’s a spectacle.
Head-to-Head Record
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Matches Played: 35
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India Women Won: 31
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Sri Lanka Women Won: 3
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No Result: 1
The numbers reflect India’s sheer dominance. Over the years, India have repeatedly proven superior in both batting and bowling departments against Sri Lanka. However, cricket history is full of surprises, and Sri Lanka will believe they can turn the tables, especially in front of a supportive crowd.
India Women – Form and Team Overview
India enter the tournament brimming with confidence. Harmanpreet Kaur’s team recently defeated England in a hard-fought ODI series and followed it up with a morale-boosting warm-up win against New Zealand. The squad has an enviable blend of youth and experience.
Batting Strength
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Smriti Mandhana (vc): India’s most reliable opener and a run machine in ICC tournaments. Her ability to anchor innings while striking freely makes her the fulcrum of the top order.
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Harmanpreet Kaur (c): A proven match-winner whose aggressive batting can turn games. Her leadership has matured in recent years, and she thrives in big-match atmospheres.
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Harleen Deol: Expected to play a crucial role in the middle order. Her form in warm-ups and ability to accelerate in the middle overs make her vital.
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Jemimah Rodrigues and Richa Ghosh: Young, dynamic, and fearless, they can provide India with late surges in scoring.
Bowling Attack
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Kranti Gaud: The pace spearhead, capable of swinging the new ball and exploiting Guwahati’s early conditions.
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Renuka Singh Thakur: Brings consistency and discipline with the ball.
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Deepti Sharma and Sneh Rana: Allrounders who provide spin depth and add batting strength.
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Radha Yadav and Sree Charani: Key spinners who will look to exploit the middle overs when the pitch starts assisting turn.
India’s combination of power at the top, stability in the middle, and versatility in the bowling attack makes them formidable favorites.
Sri Lanka Women – Form and Team Overview
Sri Lanka’s path to this tournament opener has been less smooth. Their warm-up games showed inconsistencies, but they remain dangerous on their day. Chamari Athapaththu, their captain and superstar, remains the heartbeat of the side.
Batting Core
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Chamari Athapaththu (c): One of the most explosive players in women’s cricket. Capable of single-handedly changing games, Athapaththu’s wicket will be India’s top priority.
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Harshitha Samarawickrama and Hasini Perera: The glue of the top order, expected to provide support to Chamari.
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Vishmi Gunarathne and Nilakshi de Silva: Talents who can stabilize the innings and build partnerships.
Bowling Attack
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Kavisha Dilhari and Dewmi Vihanga: Spinners who bring balance and are crucial in the middle overs.
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Inoka Ranaweera: A seasoned spinner who can choke runs and pick key wickets.
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Udeshika Prabodani and Achini Kulasooriya: Fast bowlers who will look to exploit early swing and new-ball conditions.
Sri Lanka’s challenge lies in consistency. While they have match-winners, they will need collective effort and discipline to compete against a dominant Indian side.
Barsapara Cricket Stadium – Pitch and Conditions
The Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati is known for its batting-friendly nature.
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First 10 Overs: Early moisture in the afternoon start could give fast bowlers some swing and seam. Batters will need to be cautious initially.
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Middle Overs: The pitch flattens out, making stroke play easier. Spinners will find grip, but batters can dominate with smart footwork.
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Death Overs: With the surface staying true, expect big-hitting in the final overs.
Average First Innings Score: 190-200 runs.
Toss Factor: Teams prefer to bowl first, assess the pitch, and then chase with confidence.
Key Battles to Watch
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Smriti Mandhana vs Udeshika Prabodani
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Left-hander vs left-arm pace: early swing against India’s most prolific ODI opener.
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Chamari Athapaththu vs Kranti Gaud
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The star batter against India’s emerging pace spearhead. A contest that could decide the game’s trajectory.
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Deepti Sharma vs Harshitha Samarawickrama
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India’s experienced spinner against Sri Lanka’s stabilizing presence in the middle order.
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Harmanpreet Kaur vs Inoka Ranaweera
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Aggressive Indian captain against Sri Lanka’s most experienced spinner.
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IND-W vs SL-W: Match Details
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Date and Time: September 30, 2025; 03:00 pm IST / 09:30 am GMT
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Venue: Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati
Squads
India Women
Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh, Yastika Bhatia, Renuka Singh Thakur, Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Sree Charani, Radha Yadav, Amanjot Kaur, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gaud
Sri Lanka Women
Chamari Athapaththu (c), Hasini Perera, Vishmi Gunarathne, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Kaveesha Dilhari, Nilakshi de Silva, Anushka Sanjeewani, Imesha Dulani, Dewmi Vihanga, Piumi Wathsala, Inoka Ranaweera, Sugandika Dasanayaka, Udeshika Prabodani, Malki Madara, Achini Kulasooriya
Match Prediction Scenarios
Case 1: India wins the toss and bowls first
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Sri Lanka Women’s powerplay score: 45-55
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Sri Lanka Women’s total score: 210-220
Case 2: Sri Lanka wins the toss and bowls first
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India Women’s powerplay score: 60-70
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India Women’s total score: 250-260
Likely Result: Team bowling first to win the game. India’s superior batting depth and bowling variety give them the edge.
Why This Match Matters Beyond Points
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For India: A chance to assert dominance early and give youngsters like Pratika Rawal and Kranti Gaud valuable exposure.
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For Sri Lanka: An opportunity to shock the cricketing world and challenge the status quo.
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For Women’s Cricket: As co-hosts, India and Sri Lanka’s strong performances will attract global attention and inspire more participation across Asia.
The India Women vs Sri Lanka Women clash at Guwahati promises to be a high-energy start to the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025. India’s pedigree and form make them strong favorites, but Sri Lanka’s hunger for an upset ensures this won’t be a one-sided contest. Expect fireworks with the bat, tactical battles with the ball, and a lively Guwahati crowd adding to the spectacle.
A competitive opening game will not only set the tone for the tournament but also showcase how far women’s cricket has come in South Asia. Whether it’s Smriti Mandhana’s elegance, Chamari Athapaththu’s fireworks, or Deepti Sharma’s guile, fans are in for a treat.
Prediction: India to start their World Cup campaign with a win, but Sri Lanka to put up a spirited fight and make the co-hosts work hard for it.
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