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Pratika Rawal, Bowlers Shine as India Crush Sri Lanka by Nine Wickets | Women’s Tri-Series 2025
India Women started their tri-series campaign in style, hammering Sri Lanka by nine wickets in a rain-affected opening ODI at Colombo’s R Premadasa Stadium. Despite heavy showers delaying the start by three hours and reducing the match to 39 overs per side, India remained dominant throughout.
Spinners Set the Tone Early
Opting to bowl first, India made full use of the overcast conditions. Off-spinner Sneh Rana was the star with the ball, picking up 3 for 31 in her 8 overs. Debutant Shree Charani also impressed with 2 for 26, while senior pro Deepti Sharma chipped in with 2 for 22.
Medium-pacer Kashvee Gautam, playing her first ODI, bowled with discipline. Although she didn’t pick up a wicket, she kept things tight, conceding just 28 runs in her full quota of overs.
Because of India’s disciplined bowling, Sri Lanka struggled to build partnerships. None of their batters crossed the 30-run mark, with Hasini Perera top-scoring with 30 and Kavisha Dilhari adding a quick 25. The hosts were bundled out for just 147 runs in 38.1 overs.
Pratika Rawal and Smriti Mandhana Lead the Chase
In response, India began their chase with great intent. Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal stitched a fluent 54-run partnership inside nine overs. Mandhana, looking in fine touch, scored a classy 43 with six boundaries before falling to Inoka Ranaweera.
Although Sri Lanka tried to slow things down with a couple of maiden overs, Rawal and Harleen Deol ensured there were no more hiccups. Together, they added an unbeaten 95-run stand, calmly steering India to victory.
Rawal, who had smashed a record-breaking 154 against Ireland earlier this year, once again showed her class. She remained unbeaten on 50 from 62 balls, laced with seven beautiful boundaries. Her knock marked her fourth consecutive ODI fifty, underlining her consistency.
Harleen Deol also played a composed innings, finishing unbeaten on 48. Fittingly, Deol sealed the win with a boundary as India completed the chase in just 29.4 overs.
