"We know every game is important and will be high-pressure."
India staged a brilliant comeback after a middle-order collapse to beat Sri Lanka by 59 runs in the opening Women’s World Cup match in Guwahati.
The hosts appeared in deep trouble when they lost four wickets for four runs in 11 balls. Spinner Inoka Ranaweera took three wickets in the 26th over, reducing India to 124-6.
Amanjot Kaur and Deepti Sharma turned the innings with a seventh-wicket stand worth 103.
Sri Lanka’s fielding faltered as Amanjot was dropped four times on her way to 57. Sharma added 53 before falling to the final ball of the innings.
Sneh Rana’s 28 from 15 deliveries gave late momentum as India posted 269-8 from 47 overs, with rain cutting the innings short.
Sri Lanka’s revised target was set at 271 from the same number of overs.
Skipper Chamari Athapaththu led their reply with 43, sharing a second-wicket stand of 52 with Harshitha Samarawickrama.
But her dismissal at 82-1 stalled the visitors’ momentum.
Sri Lanka crumbled to 140-6 and were bowled out for 211 in the 46th over. Sharma starred with figures of 3-54, backed by Rana’s 2-32 and Shree Charani’s 2-37.
A lively home crowd of 22,843, the largest ever for a Women’s World Cup group match, witnessed India’s recovery.
Early wickets silenced fans as Smriti Mandhana fell for eight and partnerships struggled against disciplined bowling. Pratika Rawal managed 37 and Harleen Deol 48 before Ranaweera triggered the collapse with three quick strikes.
Sri Lanka missed key opportunities, including four drops off Amanjot, which proved decisive. Once Athapaththu was bowled by Sharma, India remained in control.
The victory provides a crucial net run-rate boost and confidence as India Women aim for their first World Cup triumph in any format.
After the match, India skipper Harmanpreet Kaur said:
“It wasn’t an easy game. We know every game is important and will be high-pressure.
“In the middle overs, our batters managed well despite losing wickets.
“That was outstanding to watch and overall it was a good game for us. All of our girls came together to win this.”
Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu: “We executed our plans but we dropped a couple of wickets – Amanjot Kaur was disappointing to drop.
“We made a few mistakes and that has cost us the game.”
The tournament, which is jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka, continues with Australia facing New Zealand on October 1 in Indore.
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