India Women have taken a comfortable 1-0 lead in the five-match home Women's T20I series against Sri Lanka Women after claiming an eight-wicket victory at Visakhapatnam on Sunday night (December 21).

After the Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur won the toss, she sent the visitors to bat first. While Sri Lanka Women were restricted to 121/6 in 20 overs, India Women chased down the target in 14.4 overs after losing only two wickets. The hosts won the series opener by eight wickets with 32 balls remaining. 

Sri Lanka Women batters failed against disciplined Indian bowlers

Sri Lanka Women didn't get a strong start, as they managed to score 31/1 at the end of the powerplay. The situation was never improved despite the Indian fielders dropping high-catch chances.  The entire Sri Lankan innings experienced only nine fours and one six, while the Player of the Match Jemaimah Rodrigues hit 10 fours in the chase. 

Among the Lankan batters, only Vishmi Gunaratne (35), Hasini Perera (20), and Harshitha Samarawickrama (21) managed to reach the 20-run mark. The Indian bowlers were very disciplined. Deepti Sharma (1/20), Kranti Gaud (1/23), and Shree Charani (1/30) were the wicket-takers for India Women. 

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Jemaimah Rodrigues played powerful knock for comfortable chase

In reply, although the opener Shafali Verma (9) was dismissed cheaply after hitting two fours, the chase was never uncomfortable for the hosts. Another opener Smriti Mandhana scored a run-a-ball 25 runs, while she also became the second batter, after New Zealand legend Suzie Bates, to complete 4000 runs in Women's T20I history. 

While Jemimah Rodrigues scored 69 not out off 44 balls, captain Harmanpreet Kaur scored 15 not out off 16 balls, as the hosts chased down the target before completion of the 15th over. 

Among the visiting bowlers, only Kawya Kavindi (1/20) and Inoka Ranaweera (1/17) got wickets. 

The latest Women’s ODI World Cup winners India Women are preparing to begin their new era, as they are set to host Sri Lanka for a five-match Women’s T20I series, the beginning of a preparation for next year’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. Two teenagers, who were the heroes for the India Women U19 team to win the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2025 early this year, have earned their maiden senior national team call-ups. 

See Also: Why does Team India’s new T20 jersey have two stars? Explained

India Women will play five-match T20I series against Sri Lanka Women

India will host a five-match Women’s T20I series against Sri Lanka Women between December 21 and 30. Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam will host the first two fixtures on December 21 and 23. Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram will host the next three games on December 26, 28, and 30. 

Harmanpreet Kaur is ready to lead the Indian side, while Smriti Mandhana will continue her deputy leadership role. From their last T20I series campaign in the English tour, Radha Yadav, Yastika Bhatia, and Sayali Satghare have been excluded from the Indian squad. 

Gunalan Kamalini and Vaishnavi Sharma earn maiden call-ups

The 17-year-old wicketkeeper Gunalan Kamalini and the 19-year-old left-arm spinner Vaishnavi Sharma have earned their maiden senior national team call-ups. Both played important roles for India Women’s U19 team to win the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2025. While Vaishnavi finished as the leading wicket-taker in that tournament with 17 wickets, Kamalini was the third leading run-scorer in that tournament with 143 runs in seven games, including two half-centuries. 

India Women's complete squad for five-match home T20I series against Sri Lanka Women

Harmanpreet Kaur (Captain), Smriti Mandhana (vice-captain), Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma, Harleen Deol, Amanjot Kaur, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gaud, Renuka Singh Thakur, Richa Ghosh (wk), Gunalan Kamalini (wk), N Sree Charani, Vaishnavi Sharma.

India Women vs Sri Lanka Women: The ICC Women's World Cup 2025 begins today with a match between India Women and Sri Lanka Women. India will host this Mega tournament. This match will take place at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati at 3:00 PM. In this article, we will explore the IND-W vs SL-W playing 11, pitch reports, and key players' stats.

IND-W vs SL-W 1st Match Details:

India Women's Team Preview:

The Indian Women's team suffered a crushing defeat in the first warm-up match but made a brilliant comeback in the second match, defeating the New Zealand Women's team by 4 wickets. Harleen Deol and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur both batted brilliantly in this match and scored 74 and 69 runs respectively.

N Charani bowled well and took 3 wickets. Harmanpreet Kaur will lead the India Women's team. Smriti Mandhana was in great form during the last ODI series against Australia Women. She has accumulated 2 centuries and one half-century in the last three matches.

India Women's Key players:

Sri Lanka Women's Team Preview: 

Chamari Atapattu will lead the Sri Lanka Women's team in this tournament. Chamari Attapur is a talented player on whom the Sri Lankan team will depend. The Sri Lankan women's team did not fare well in their warm-up matches. Their match against Pakistan ended in a draw, while they lost narrowly to Bangladesh.

In the last match against Bangladesh, Nilakshi de Silva scored 75 runs in 78 balls, while in the bowling section, Kavisha Dilhari bowled well and took 2 wickets. The Sri Lankan team will aim to make a fresh start in the tournament.

Sri Lanka Women’s Key Players: 

IND-W vs SL-W 1st Match Probable Playing XI

India Women: Richa Ghosh, Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Kranti Goud, Shree Charani, Arundhati Reddy, Harleen Deol, Harmanpreet Kaur, Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Amanjot Kaur

Sri Lanka Women: Anushka Sanjeewani, Chamari Atapattu, Kavisha Dilhari, Dewmi Vihanga, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Nilakshi de Silva, Hasini Perera, Vishmi Rajapaksha Gunaratne, Inoka Ranaweera, Sugandika Kumari, Achini Kulasuriya

Scoring pattern at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati:

The Barsapara pitch is initially good for batsmen—consistent bounce and pace make it easier to hit early shots. The pitch is dry, with very little grass, so seam/swing bowlers get little help. As the innings progress, the pitch slows down slightly, allowing spin bowlers to gain control in the middle overs.

The last match played at this venue was between IND vs SL, in which Team India posted 373 runs on the board. Let's have a look at the ODI Men's Stats of Barspara Cricket Stadium.. 

IND-W vs SL-W 1st Match Expert Opinion and Match Prediction:

The Sri Lanka Women's team lost their warm-up match against BAN-W by 1 run. On the other hand, India Women defeated New Zealand Women by 4 wickets. Indian Women have a home advantage in this tournament. Additionally, IND-W holds a strong record against SL-W; therefore, the India Women are expected to win this match.

IND-W vs SL-W 1st Match, ICC Women's World Cup 2025 Squad:

India Women Squad: Richa Ghosh, Uma Chetry, Pratika Rawal, Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Kranti Goud, Renuka Thakur, Shree Charani, Radha Yadav, Arundhati Reddy, Harleen Deol, Harmanpreet Kaur, Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Amanjot Kaur

Sri Lanka Women Squad: Anushka Sanjeewani, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Nilakshi de Silva, Hasini Perera, Vishmi Rajapaksha Gunaratne, Piumi Badalge, Imesha Dulani, Inoka Ranaweera, Sugandika Kumari, Achini Kulasuriya, Malki Madara, Udeshika Prabodhani, Chamari Atapattu, Kavisha Dilhari, Dewmi Vihanga