The Indian women’s cricket team will look to end a 47-year wait for its maiden ICC title when its ICC World Cup campaign begins against Sri Lanka at the ACA Stadium here on Tuesday.
Photo credit: ICC
The Indian women’s cricket team will look to end a 47-year wait for its maiden ICC title when its ICC World Cup campaign begins against Sri Lanka at the ACA Stadium here on Tuesday.
Ranked No.3 in the world, the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side enters the tournament in good form in the 50-overs format and will hope to make the most of home advantage after a 12-year gap.
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The 13th edition of the marquee event features eight teams headlined by seven-time winners Australia, four-time champions England, New Zealand (one title), alongside hosts India and Sri Lanka, South Africa, Bangladesh and Pakistan.
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Across 28 league matches in a round-robin format, games will be staged at four venues in India and one in Colombo, which will also host 11 group-stage fixtures, including all of Pakistan’s games. The high-voltage India–Pakistan clash is scheduled for October 5, while Colombo is also lined up to host one semifinal and the final, should Pakistan qualify. If Pakistan doesn’t qualify, one semifinal will be hosted at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati.
This year’s tournament boasts a record prize pool of $13.88 million, nearly four times that of the 2022 edition and higher than the $10 million offered in the men’s 2023 edition. The move reflects the ICC’s push for pay parity and the growth of women’s cricket.
“This World Cup will boost the women’s game not only in Assam but also across the Northeast. Hosting the World Cup in tier-2 cities like Guwahati will encourage girls from the region to take up the sport professionally,” BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia told The Statesman on the eve of the opener.
Solemn opening ceremony in memory of Zubeen Garg
BCCI secretary Saikia revealed that the opening ceremony will be a toned-down 40-minute event, considering the mourning period in the state in the aftermath of the recent death of cultural icon Zubeen Garg.
Garg (52) had died by drowning in the sea in Singapore on September 19, plunging the entire state into mourning for its beloved singer-composer. He was also known for his love for sports, especially football, and participated in several friendly football and cricket ties.
“Initially we had planned for a grand opening event, with Zubeen Garg and a renowned global musical rock band, but due to the unfortunate and untimely demise of the superstar singer, it will be a solemn ceremony, where Papon (Anagram Mahanta), Joi Baruah and Shreya Ghosal along with Shillong Chamber Choir will perform in the event,” he said.
“The cultural event will be dedicated to the late singer, and some of his popular renditions will be played. The opening ceremony will start at 1:45 pm, with Papon and Joi performing in memory of Zubeen. Papon has informed of performing free of cost while Joi has dedicated the amount to an NGO. Shreya will perform the ICC World Cup theme song during the mid-innings break,” Saikia added.
Full house expected
With 90 percent of the tickets already sold out, Saikia expects the World Cup opener to be a packed house, despite Durga Puja celebrations across the Northeastern city. The ACA has also arranged for distribution of 5,000 free tickets for Garg’s fans for the opening match. The Guwahati Sports Association (GSA) has been assigned to distribute the free tickets on behalf of the ACA.
On-field action
Meanwhile, coming to the on-field action, India will take confidence from recent results, having beaten England in both ODI and T20I series, and nearly chased down 413 against Australia in New Delhi. They also snapped a long losing streak against the Aussies, bolstering belief ahead of the big stage.
India skipper Harmanpreet Kaur exuded confidence in her team’s abilities, while dismissing the pressure of playing a home World Cup. “Well, yeah, I mean this World Cup is going to happen after 12 years, but no pressure at all. We all are, you know, looking really well. In the practice games we played, we tried to tick all the boxes. So we all are very excited that we are getting this opportunity to play the World Cup in home conditions.”
A key strength lies in the opening partnership of vice-captain Smriti Mandhana and youngster Pratika Rawal. The left-right combination has already set the record for most runs by any wicket in women’s ODIs in a calendar year. Mandhana, in particular, has been in the form of her career, amassing four centuries this year, including two consecutive tons against Australia while averaging 66.28 at a strike rate of 115.85. Rawal, meanwhile, has provided stability in the absence of Shafali Verma.
Skipper Kaur, playing her fifth World Cup, continues to be India’s big-match performer with an ODI World Cup average of over 50. She struck a century against England and followed up with a fifty versus Australia in the lead-up. The middle order also looks solid, with Jemimah Rodrigues returning from injury to score 66 in a warm-up against England, while Richa Ghosh and all-rounder Deepti Sharma remain dependable finishers.
India’s bowling attack has received a timely boost with the return of Renuka Singh Thakur, who will spearhead the pace unit. However, the lack of experience around her is a concern. Apart from Thakur, Kranti Goud, Arundhati Reddy, and Amanjot have played just 25 ODIs combined and have often conceded 300-plus totals. While 22-year-old Goud has shown promise with pace and variations, injuries to Reddy and Amanjot during the warm-ups remain worries.
The spin department offers more depth. Deepti Sharma, Radha Yadav, Sneh Rana and N Sree Charani are expected to play a crucial role in home conditions, especially as pitches wear out later in the tournament. On flatter surfaces, though, their impact could be limited.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka, under the leadership of explosive batter Chamari Athapaththu, have voiced hopes of seeing an Asian team lift the World Cup this time. From finishing fifth in the ICC Women’s Championship to finishing runners-up in this year’s home tri-nation series, and clinching the Asia Cup in T20 cricket last year, the island nation has steadily rebuilt its white-ball credentials with determination and flair.
Beyond their inspirational skipper, Sri Lanka will rely heavily on their rising talents like Harshitha Samarawickrama, Dewmi Vihanga and Vishmi Gunaratne. Gunaratne, who earned her senior call-up after the inaugural U19 Women’s T20 World Cup in 2023, has already shown maturity beyond her years. With a century against Ireland and key fifties against New Zealand and West Indies, she will be a vital presence at the top of the order, shouldering the hopes of her nation.
Much of the middle-order’s solidity will rest on Samarawickrama, while Vihanga, a thrilling 20-year-old prospect with the ball, will look to replicate her breakout tri-series performance where she claimed 11 wickets, including a stunning five-for against South Africa.
Sri Lanka also bring significant experience, boasting two of the oldest players in the tournament in Udeshika Prabodhani, 40, and Inoka Ranaweera, 39. Ranaweera, Sri Lanka’s second-highest wicket-taker in ODIs with 80 scalps and two five-wicket hauls, continues to be a dependable force.
While Prabodhani may not always feature in the starting XI, her presence, along with the seasoned calm of Nilakshi de Silva and Hasini Perera, adds stability in pressure situations. With a balanced blend of youth and experience, Sri Lanka enter the World Cup as a side in transition but anchored by Chamari’s leadership and indomitable spirit, qualities that continue to inspire every player around her.
Squads:
India: Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Smriti Mandhana (vice captain), Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh, Uma Chetry, Renuka Singh Thakur, Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Sree Charani, Radha Yadav, Amanjot Kaur, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gaud.
Sri Lanka: Chamari Athapaththu, Hasini Perera, Vishmi Gunarathne, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Kaveesha Dilhari, Nilakshi de Silva, Anushka Sanjeewani, Imesha Dulani, Dewmi Vihanga, Piumi Wathsala, Inoka Ranaweera, Sugandika Dasanayaka, Udeshika Prabodani, Malki Madara, Achini Kulasooriya.
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