World Cup 2025

World Cup 2025: Deepti Sharma and Amanjot Kaur Power India to Winning Start Against Sri Lanka

Spread the love

World Cup 2025 began with a rollercoaster for Team India in Guwahati, but thanks to Deepti Sharma and debutant Amanjot Kaur, the hosts turned a shaky start into a commanding 59-run win over Sri Lanka on Tuesday.

India's Deepti Sharma (2R) celebrates with teammates after dismissing Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu in the opening Women’s World Cup game in Guwahati on Tuesday. Deepti hit 53 and took 3/54. (AFP)

At 124/6, India’s innings looked in deep trouble, with Sri Lankan left-arm spinner Inoka Ranaweera (4/46) running riot. But the crisis paved the way for a match-defining 103-run partnership off 99 balls between Deepti (53) and Amanjot (57), who was making her World Cup debut. The pair steadied the ship and lifted India to a competitive 269/8 in 50 overs.

Amanjot, returning from injury, impressed with her calmness under pressure, while Deepti combined her batting experience with a fine spell of 3/54 to seal a memorable Player of the Match performance. Sneh Rana’s unbeaten 28 off 15 balls added crucial late runs.

For Sri Lanka, skipper Chamari Athapaththu (43 off 47) and Harshitha Samarawickrama (29) briefly threatened during a 52-run stand, but India’s bowlers struck back strongly to seal the contest. Earlier, Harleen Deol (48) and Pratika Rawal (59) showed promise but couldn’t convert their starts as Sri Lanka dominated the middle overs.

Also Read: Rajat Patidar Eyes Rare Hat-Trick of Titles with Rest of India in Irani Cup 2025

The turning point came in the 26th over when Ranaweera produced pure theatre—dismissing Harleen, Jemimah Rodrigues (0), and captain Harmanpreet Kaur (48) in quick succession. India’s top five collapsed, silencing a record crowd of 22,843 fans at Barsapara Stadium.

But Amanjot’s gritty knock, coupled with Deepti’s experience, turned the tide. Their resilience under pressure not only gave India a winning start but also showed the team’s depth—something they’ve lacked in previous global tournaments.

This hard-fought victory sets the tone for India’s World Cup campaign, reinforcing Smriti Mandhana’s words that India is no longer reliant on a single match-winner but a group of players ready to step up.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *