India’s women cricketers enter the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 opener against Sri Lanka tomorrow with a formidable record looming large over their opponents.

In the history of 50-over clashes, India have emerged victorious in 31 of the 35 matches played against Sri Lanka, leaving the visitors with just three wins and a single no-result.

This commanding head-to-head record gives India a psychological edge as they step onto the Barsapara Cricket Stadium turf in Guwahati.

Captain Harmanpreet Kaur will rely on the batting firepower of Smriti Mandhana, who has been in sensational form this year with 928 runs from 14 matches at an average of 66.28, including four centuries and three fifties.

She will be supported by Jemimah Rodrigues, Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, and Pratika Rawal, forming a line-up capable of posting a challenging total.

India’s bowling arsenal is equally threatening, with Sneh Rana leading the charts with 21 wickets at an economy rate of 4.97. Renuka Singh Thakur, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gaud, and Deepti Sharma will all play key roles in containing Sri Lanka’s batters and striking at crucial moments.

Sri Lanka, under Chamari Athapaththu, will look to rewrite history. Their hopes rest on the dependable Harshitha Samarawickrama, who has amassed 336 runs in eight matches this year at an average of 48.00. Spinner Dewmi Vihanga has been their standout bowler, claiming 11 wickets in just four matches, and will be tasked with stemming India’s scoring.

The Barsapara pitch offers a batting-friendly surface, with first-innings scores in ODIs averaging around 300. Spinners may extract some turn in the middle overs, but the conditions largely favour a high-scoring encounter. The weather is expected to be sunny with gentle breezes, though evening showers may add a hint of unpredictability.

Given the combination of home advantage, current form, and historical supremacy, India start as clear favourites. Sri Lanka will need a near-perfect performance to overcome the odds and snatch a win in this opening clash.

Predicted India XI: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana, Pratika Rawal, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Richa Ghosh (wk), Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gaud, Renuka Singh Thakur.

Predicted Sri Lanka XI: Chamari Athapaththu (c), Harshitha Samarawickrama, Hasini Perera, Vishmi Gunaratne, Nilakshi de Silva, Anushka Sanjeewani (wk), Piumi Badalge, Dewmi Vihanga, Sugandika Kumari, Inoka Ranaweera, Malki Madara.