The 13th Women’s ODI World Cup got underway in Guwahati with a commanding display from India, who brushed aside Sri Lanka to open their campaign on a winning note.

Sri Lankan skipper Chamari Athapaththu gave her side a brisk start, smashing 43 off 47 balls, but the rest of the batting order faltered under pressure. Wickets tumbled in the middle overs, leaving the visitors bowled out for 211 in 45.4 overs.

India’s chase, however, was far from straightforward. After a solid opening, the hosts suddenly collapsed, losing four wickets for just four runs. It was left to Deepti Sharma and Amanjot Kaur to steady the innings, both registering vital half-centuries. Sneha Rana added a rapid 28 to keep the scoreboard moving, while Harleen Deol fell agonisingly short of a fifty with a gritty 48 from 64 deliveries.

India eventually closed on 269 for eight in 47 overs, sealing a convincing 58-run victory. Inoka Ranaweera was the lone bright spot for Sri Lanka, claiming four wickets with a spirited spell.

But the day belonged to Deepti Sharma, who produced a match-winning all-round performance — scoring 53 off 53 balls and taking three wickets for 54 runs — to secure the Player of the Match award. Sneha Rana also chipped in with two wickets to compound Sri Lanka’s woes.

Despite the defeat, Sri Lanka remain in contention, with six more matches to play in the round-robin format that sees all eight teams face each other once before the semi-finals.

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