Harmanpreet Kaur Leads India's Charge for Home World Cup Glory, Starting Against Sri Lanka

The ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup returns to India after a 12-year hiatus, and for the hosts, the tournament represents more than just cricket. Led by Harmanpreet Kaur, India will open their campaign against Sri Lanka at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati on Tuesday, carrying the hopes of a nation eager for its first women's ICC title.

India, ranked world No.3, head into the home World Cup full of confidence after recent victories over England in both ODI and T20I series and by ending a worrying losing streak against Australia in a pre-tournament series, narrowly falling short while chasing 413 in the final ODI in New Delhi against the seven-time champions.

Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana, who has been in outstanding form, will spearhead the Indian batting line-up in the ICC tournament. The left-hander has struck four ODI centuries this year, including consecutive hundreds against Australia, averaging 66.28 with a strike rate of 115.85. Her partnerships with young opener Pratika Rawal have bolstered India's top order, providing stability and a solid platform to post or chase big totals in Shafali Verma's absence.

Captain Harmanpreet Kaur, playing her fifth World Cup, brings experience and a tournament average of over 50, consistently delivering in high-pressure matches. Jemimah Rodrigues has added composure to the middle order, scoring 66 in a warm-up against England, while Richa Ghosh, Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, and Amanjot Kaur provide further depth and balance across the line-up.

India’s bowling, however, remains an area of concern. Renuka Singh Thakur returns from injury to spearhead the pace attack, but her support—Kranti Goud, Arundhati Reddy, and Amanjot Kaur—has limited experience, collectively having played just 25 ODIs. Injuries continue to cast a shadow, with Reddy forced off the field in a wheelchair during a warm-up match and Amanjot returning from a minor setback.

India’s spin quartet—Deepti Sharma, Radha Yadav, Sneh Rana, and N Sree Charani—is well-suited to home conditions, though the flat pitches may offer limited assistance. Mental resilience will also be tested; India have previously faltered in crucial finals, including the 2017 World Cup and the 2022 Commonwealth Games, both narrowly lost to Australia.

A home World Cup win could be a game-changer for Indian women’s cricket. It could boost grassroots investment, strengthen calls for pay parity with male cricketers, and give millions of young girls a moment of national pride. With five of India’s eight league matches scheduled at home, the team will enjoy familiar conditions and the support of passionate crowds.

Tournament co-hosts Sri Lanka, led by veteran Chamari Athapaththu in what is likely her final World Cup, return after missing out on qualification in 2022. The team will rely on 20-year-old all-rounder Dewmi Vihanga, who impressed in a recent tri-nation series by taking 11 wickets, including a match-winning 5/43 against South Africa.

Athapaththu, along with Harshitha Samarawickrama and Vishmi Gunaratne, provides the batting firepower, but consistency remains a challenge for their bowling attack. With five of their league games at home, familiar conditions and strong crowd support could help Sri Lanka spring another upset, as they did against South Africa at the 2023 Women’s T20 World Cup.

INDW vs SLW: GUWAHATI PITCH REPORT

India may have to rethink their spin-heavy approach for the ICC Women's World Cup opener against Sri Lanka on Tuesday, as the ACA Barsapara Stadium pitch is expected to favour batters more than bowlers.

"Barsapara wicket never assisted spin. It has always been a good, sporting wicket and there should be no difference this time," a curator told PTI, suggesting the match could turn into a high-scoring affair if batters settle in.

Spinners have long been India’s strength at home. In the lead-up to the tournament, the team relied on four spinners and just one pacer, Kranti Goud, against world champions Australia in the first ODI of the bilateral series.

But with pacer Renuka Singh returning after a six-month break due to a stress fracture, India’s bowling plans could see a shift, giving them more options beyond spin.

INDW vs SLW: HEAD-TO-HEAD IN ODIS

India Women hold a commanding record against Sri Lanka in ODI cricket, winning 31 of the 35 matches played. Their dominance in recent years has been clear, while Sri Lanka have struggled to keep pace, making India the firm favourites for Tuesday’s clash.

INDW vs SLW: PREDICTED PLAYING XI

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

Sri Lanka predicted XI: Hasini Perera, Chamari Athapaththu (C), Harshitha Samarawickrama, Vishmi Gunaratne, Anushka Sanjeewani (WK), Kavisha Dilhari, Dewmi Vihanga, Piumi Wathsala, Achini Kulasuriya, Udeshika Prabodhani, Malki Madara