Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bowl first against India in the eagerly awaited opener of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025, being played at Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati. This opening clash features two co-host nations aiming for a flying start in what promises to be a historic tournament on home soil.
Toss Update and Playing XIs
Sri Lankan captain Chamari Athapaththu called correctly at the toss and invited India to bat first, hoping to leverage favorable bowling conditions and put early pressure on the Indian top order. Leading India, Harmanpreet Kaur announced a strong XI, reflecting depth and experience, while Sri Lanka’s lineup balances star performers with emerging talent.
India Women’s Playing XI:
Pratika Rawat, Smriti Mandhana, Harleen Deol, Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Amanjot Kaur, Sneh Rana, Kranti Gaur, Shri Charani
Sri Lanka Women’s Playing XI:
Chamari Athapaththu (captain), Hasini Perera, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Vishmi Gunaratne, Kavisha Dilhari, Nilakshi de Silva, Anushka Sanjeewani (wk), Achini Kulasuriya, Sugandika Kumari, Udeshika Prabodhani, Inoka Ranaweera.
India enters with a dominant history, having won 31 of their 35 previous ODI meetings against Sri Lanka, while Sri Lanka has managed only three victories and one match ended with no result. This formidable record puts India as favorites, but the pressure of a World Cup opener and home crowds brings added drama and expectation.
How to Watch – Live Telecast and Streaming
Fans across India can watch this epic opener live on the Star Sports Network, with streaming available on JioHotstar (subscription required). The game starts at 3:00 PM IST, with live scores and match updates provided by major sports portals and official broadcasters.
Why This Match Matters
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Launches the 13th edition of the ICC Women’s One Day World Cup in front of a packed Guwahati stadium.
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India begins their hunt for a maiden World Cup title, led by some of the biggest stars in women’s cricket, with massive home expectations.
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Sri Lanka, under Athapaththu’s bold leadership, will look to spoil the host’s dream start and rewrite their own World Cup history.
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The event features record-breaking prize money and sets the stage for over a month of high-stakes women’s cricket action.
