India Women defeated Sri Lanka Women by 9 wickets in the first match of the ODI Tri-Series at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. The match was shortened to 39 overs per side due to heavy rain. Despite the reduced overs, India chased the target of 148 with ease, winning by 9 wickets and with 9.2 overs to spare.
Tribute to Pahalgam Terror Attack Victims
Before the match, the Indian team wore black armbands to honor the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack. Similarly, IPL players had shown solidarity during recent matches, displaying support during the Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders vs Punjab Kings fixtures.
India’s Dominant Bowling Performance
India won the toss and opted to bowl first. From the very beginning, India’s bowlers dominated the game. Sneh Rana took 3 wickets for 31 runs, while debutant Shree Charani claimed 2 wickets for 26 runs. Additionally, senior spinner Deepti Sharma contributed with 2 wickets for 22 runs.
Meanwhile, Kashvee Sudesh Gautam, another debutant, bowled 8 economical overs, conceding only 28 runs. Although she didn’t take any wickets, she kept the pressure on the Sri Lankan batsmen.
At one stage, Sri Lanka was at 54/1, but India’s bowlers, particularly Rana, caused a collapse. Hasini Perera was the top scorer for Sri Lanka with 30 runs. Kavisha Dilhari made 25 runs off 26 balls. However, after Chamari Athapaththu was dismissed cheaply for 7 runs, Sri Lanka struggled. With regular wickets falling to India’s spinners, Sri Lanka was bowled out for 147 in 39 overs.
Charani’s Impressive Debut
Among the debutants, Charani stood out. She took 2 wickets, both through catches in the infield. Her first wicket came when she dismissed Kavisha Dilhari, who top-edged a sweep.
The turning point came when Rana dismissed Hasini Perera LBW. Shortly after, a mix-up in running saw Harshitha Samarawickrama run out. Rana continued to strike, taking two excellent return catches. One was a sharp catch at thigh height to dismiss Hansima Karunaratne, and the other was a low, dying chance to get Nilakshika de Silva. Charani’s wickets came from simple but effective catches.
India's Smooth Chase
In reply, India comfortably chased down the target. Smriti Mandhana gave the team a strong start with 43 runs, including six boundaries. However, Inoka Ranaweera dismissed Mandhana, taking a return catch. At this point, India was 54/1 in the 10th over.
After Mandhana’s departure, Rawal and Deol took charge. Rawal played a composed knock of 50* off 62 balls, hitting seven boundaries. Deol, supporting Rawal, made 48* off 62 balls. The pair added 95 runs from 120 balls, leading India toward victory.
Rawal reached her fourth consecutive ODI fifty with a single on the second-last ball. Finally, Deol sealed the win with a stylish boundary, and India won by 9 wickets.