Deepti Sharma starred with both bat and ball as India launched their Women’s World Cup campaign with a commanding 59-run win over Sri Lanka via the DLS method in Guwahati on Tuesday.
Deepti became the first Indian bowler to score a fifty and take three wickets in a World Cup match, anchoring the hosts’ recovery with Amanjot Kaur before tightening the screws on Sri Lanka with the ball.
It was a turning point. Back-to-back wickets were falling, so the plan was to build a long partnership and bat deep. We executed well. I don’t feel pressure in these situations — I enjoy my batting.
Amanjot And Deepti Rescue After Collapse
Earlier, India found themselves in deep trouble at 124/6 after left-arm spinner Inoka Ranaweera (4-46) ripped through the middle order with three wickets in five deliveries, including Harmanpreet Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues.
But Amanjot Kaur (57) and Deepti Sharma dug in with a 103-run stand, steering India out of danger. Their partnership laid the foundation for Sneh Rana’s late flourish — a 15-ball unbeaten 28 studded with two fours and two sixes — that pushed India to a competitive 269/8 in the rain-curtailed 47 overs.
It was not an easy game. In ICC tournaments every match is high-pressure. The way Amanjot and Deepti handled the situation was outstanding. Having batting depth till No. 7 or 8 is our biggest strength.
Sri Lanka Falter Under Pressure
Sri Lanka’s reply mirrored India’s rocky start. Skipper Chamari Athapaththu (43) and Harshitha Samarawickrama (29) offered resistance with a 52-run partnership, but the innings unravelled as India’s spinners applied relentless pressure.
Sneh Rana bowled with discipline for figures of 2-32, while young spinner N Shree Charani chipped in with 2-37. Sri Lanka’s chase fizzled out at 211 in 45.4 overs.
We dropped catches, including Amanjot’s, and that cost us. As a batting unit we lost wickets in clusters. Inoka and Udeshika bowled well, but the rest struggled. We need to reset and think about our plans.
A Rousing Home Start
For India, the opening win was about grit as much as dominance. From losing early wickets and weathering a collapse to building partnerships under pressure, the hosts displayed the resilience expected of title contenders.
They will look to carry the momentum forward as the World Cup unfolds, with the Guwahati crowd already given plenty to cheer on the opening weekend.
Brief Scores: India 269/8 in 47 overs (Amanjot Kaur 57, Deepti Sharma 53, Harleen Deol 48, Sneh Rana 28*; Inoka Ranaweera 4-46, Udeshika Prabhodhani 2-55)
Sri Lanka 211 all out in 45.4 overs (Chamari Athapaththu 43, Nilakshika Silva 35; Deepti Sharma 3-54, Sneh Rana 2-32, N Shree Charani 2-37) India won by 59 runs (DLS).
