HIGH STAKES SHOWDOWN – Hosts India and Sri Lanka open World Cup

Guwahati readies for a heavyweight start as co-hosts India and Sri Lanka clash on 30 September. Recent form gives India the edge, writes Vidushi Lal,  but Sri Lanka will be aiming for an early upset.

Guwahati will set the stage on 30 September for a World Cup opener with a twist: the two host nations, India and Sri Lanka, face each other first. It’s a fixture that offers more than points on a table. For India, it’s a chance to underline their status as one of the favourites. For Sri Lanka, co-hosting a global tournament for the first time, it’s a chance to seize the moment and announce themselves on the biggest stage.

Current form: India arrive in excellent touch. Earlier this year they travelled to Sri Lanka for a Tri-Nation ODI series and left with the trophy, capping their campaign with a 97-run victory in the final. Smriti Mandhana was the standout player with a polished century, backed by captain Harmanpreet Kaur, Jemimah Rodrigues, and a middle order that regularly turned starts into substance. Spin all-rounders Deepti Sharma and Sneh Rana tightened games in the middle overs, while Renuka Singh Thakur and Arundhati Reddy gave the pace attack bite. The result is a side that looks balanced and assured. Sri Lanka’s path has been more uneven but far from uninspiring. They managed to topple India once during that Tri-Nation series, chasing down a tricky target in a tense finish, a reminder that they can bite back. Chamari Athapaththu, their captain and talisman, remains the team’s beating heart, capable of dictating games with bat or off-spin. Harshitha Samarawickrama lends reliability at the top, and the emergence of Dewmi Vihanga adds fresh all-round spark. With experienced spinners like Inoka Ranaweera and Sugandika Kumari, Sri Lanka have the tools to exploit conditions if they start well.

Recent head-to-heads:The recent head-to-head numbers favour India, but history alone won’t decide an opening night played under lights before a full house. Much could hinge on the first powerplay. If Renuka Singh Thakur can nip out early wickets, India can dictate the tempo. If Samarawickrama and Athapaththu blunt the new ball and push the spinners on early, Sri Lanka can shift the pressure back.

Players to watch out for: Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur, and Jemimah Rodrigues for India. Chamari Athapaththu, Harshitha Samarawickrama, and Dewmi Vihanga for Sri Lanka.

Prediction: Conditions in Guwahati are likely to reward patient batting and clever use of spin, putting a premium on fielding sharpness and smart bowling changes. India’s deeper batting order and knack for controlling chases give them an edge, but Sri Lanka’s own strengths – especially if Athapaththu fires – mean the contest should remain alive well into the evening.

The stakes extend beyond the scoreboard. This is a showcase for women’s cricket in South Asia: a chance for fans to see two home sides ignite the tournament and to measure the sport’s rapid growth in the region.

Form and depth point towards an India win, but tournament openers have a habit of defying forecasts. One inspired spell of left-arm spin or a counter-attacking hundred could flip the script. Either way, when the first ball is bowled in Guwahati, the Women’s World Cup will have exactly the vibrant, high-voltage launch it needs.

Where to watch:
Tuesday 30th September

In-person: 
Assam Cricket Association Stadium, Guwahati at 3pm local time

TV: 
UK – Sky Sports 10.30am local time
India – Star Sports Network at 3pm local time
Sri Lanka – Maharaja TV at 3pm local time
Pakistan – PTV and Ten Sports at 2.30pm local time
Bangladesh – Nagorik TV and T Sports at 3.30pm local time
South Africa – SuperSport at 11.30am local time
Australia – Amazon Prime Video, check local times
New Zealand – Sky TV NZ, check local times


Check out our guide to the Women’s Cricket World Cup here: https://thenewwomenssportmagazine.com//when-and-where-to-watch-the-cricket-world-cup