Amanjot & Deepti Rescue India Before Bowlers Seal A Strong Victory

Pixel Sports Cricket Desk
Oct 1
2 min read

India vs Sri Lanka Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 — Image: © ICC 2023

Guwahati, September 30, 2025 – India marked the opening of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 with a commanding 58-run victory over co-hosts Sri Lanka, in front of a record-breaking crowd of 22,843 at the Assam Cricket Association Stadium. The attendance set a new benchmark for the highest turnout at a group-stage fixture in women’s ICC events, surpassing the previous best of 15,935 in Dubai last year.

The hosts overcame a mid-innings collapse to post 269 for eight in 47 overs, thanks to a crucial seventh-wicket stand between Amanjot Kaur and Deepti Sharma, before Sharma starred again with the ball to restrict Sri Lanka to 211 all out.

Amanjot and Sharma Rescue India

India’s innings began on a shaky note as opener Smriti Mandhana fell cheaply for eight, edging Udeshika Prabodhani to deep point. Harleen Deol (48) and debutant Pratika Rawal (37) steadied the innings with a 67-run partnership, but a rain interruption and a devastating spell from left-arm spinner Inoka Ranaweera (4/46) derailed India’s progress.

Ranaweera’s triple strike in one over accounted for Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues (0), and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (21), leaving India reeling at 124 for six. Richa Ghosh’s dismissal compounded the pressure, but Amanjot Kaur (57) and Deepti Sharma (53) produced a century stand that shifted momentum back to the home side.

Amanjot, on her World Cup debut, rode her luck after being dropped thrice, but batted with intent to reach a composed fifty. Sharma provided the stability at the other end, anchoring the innings before finishing unbeaten on 53. Sneh Rana added late impetus with 28 not out off 15 balls, including two sixes, pushing India to a competitive total in the rain-reduced 47 overs.

Sri Lankan Chase Falters

Sri Lanka began their reply confidently, but debutant Kranti Gaud struck early to bowl Hasini Perera for 14. Chamari Athapaththu, with an aggressive 43 off 36 balls, looked threatening before Deepti Sharma produced the decisive breakthrough, bowling the Sri Lankan captain with a full delivery.

Sharma (3/54) continued to dent the chase, removing Kaveesha Dilhari (15) and Anushka Sanjeewani (6), while Amanjot chipped in by trapping Vishmi Gunaratne for 11. Nilakshika Silva (35) offered resistance, but once she fell to Sneh Rana (2/32), Sri Lanka’s hopes faded.

The visitors were eventually dismissed for 211 in 45.4 overs, handing India a confident start to their campaign.