India-W vs Sri Lanka-W highlights, ICC Women’s World Cup 2025: IND beat SL by 59 runs in Guwahati

Rawal has picked up the final wicket, and Sri Lanka are bundled out for 211 here in Guwahati. Indian spinners Deepti Sharma, Shree Charani, and Sneh Rana have been quite superb on the night, but batting is something the Indian side needs improving on going forward. That's it from us, we will be back with the presentation. Do stay with us.

Shree Charani picks up her second wicket. Achini tried to hit one into the stands and ended up giving a catch to the long-on fielder. India is one wicket away from starting their 2025 World Cup with a win. Although they will be happy about the win, they will need to improve in a few areas going into the next game.

Just in: It's just been announced in the press box that today's total attendance is officially 22,843. It's a new record attendance for any league match in any women's World Cup, T20 or ODI. The previous best is 15,935 India vs Pakistan, Dubai T20 World Cup in 2024. (Slightly unfortunate though, like we mentioned earlier, that the match is now coming to an end in front of empty stands. The rain delays, puja celebrations etc playing a part.

The match is heading to a tame finish in front of near empty stands. India were under pressure in both the innings today, but found solutions to pave an escape route. In the second half, it has been the spinners doing most of the damage with each of Deepthi, Charani and Sneh picking up crucial wickets.

Sneh Rana has picked up one more wicket here, and it is Sugandika this time whose stumps got rattled. It has been a cracking day for the Indian spinners and Rana has bowled quite magnificently in the initial spell and is now reaping the rewards. India have bowled quite will here in the second innings today.

Sneh Rana has picked up the wicket of Nilakshi. The batter tried to scoop the ball and only managed to deflect it into the stumps. It does seem like the final nail in the coffin for Sri Lanka tonight. As Nilakshi was the last batter who was looking like could do some damage to the Indian side.

Nilakshi is playing a good counter-attacking innings here. Sri Lanka has dug itself into a hole here. The middle overs from the Indian spinners were such that Sri Lanka could not get the runs flowing, and now the run-rate is going up quite quickly. The innings from Nilakshi might be a breather, but they need another batter to stay with her for another 5-6 overs.

Another Sri Lankan wicket has fallen here, and it is Anushka Sanjeweeni who tried to play the sweep against Deepti Sharma and could not get underneath the ball and ended up giving a catch to Kranti G. Sweeping on a wicket that is turning is a good countermeasure, but the Sri Lankan batters have struggled to pick the length through the evening.

Shankar: India have well and truly applied the brakes in the Sri Lankan innings. The asking rate is climbing and with only 5 wickets in hand, the co-hosts have a mountain to climb from here.

Sri Lanka, after starting the chase well, is looking completely out of sorts now. The record before today was out of 34 times these two sides have met. Sri Lanka has won only three, and again today they were in a pretty good position and squandered the advantage. And now the way pitch is behaving and the run-rate growing, it does seem like an uphill task.

Sri Lanka has lost two more wickets since our last update. Trying to play a few attacking shots, they are crumbling to the accuracy of the Indian spinners. First it was Harshitha, the set-batter, who was undone by Shree Charani and was trapped in front of the wicket, and then it was Vishmi who was trapped in front by Amanjot.

The Indian spinners are choking the Sri Lankan batters here. 50 balls have been completed since Sri Lanka has been able to squeeze a boundary last. Although there has been rain and it has been a cloudy day, the wicket has gone slow quite significantly in the 2nd innings.

The wicket is spinning a bit, and the Sri Lankan batters are finding it a bit hard to cope with the Indian tweakers. One of the strengths of this Indian side is their spinners, and if the wickets play this way through the tournament, India will be fairly confident of getting over the lines in most games.

DSP DEEPTI ROARS. That's a big celebration from Deepti Sharma as she now gets the better of Chamari for a big breakthrough. It is clearly not lost on Deepti that Chamari had been targetting her, but the Indian spinner has the last laugh. 85.2kph delivery, draws Chamari forward but almost yorks the Sri Lankan dip because of the dip on the delivery and the stumps are rattled. A couple of big roars from Deepti. Big wicket for India, just as Chamari was threatening to do Chamari things.

Shankar: A wicket that will allow India to breathe easy and plan for the rest. Athapaththu was settling in nicely in the middle and her departure could mark a significant shift in the match.

Chamari Athapathu spoke during the press conference about how she is well aware of most of the Indian bowlers, given how many times she has played against them internationally and with them in leagues. Looks like she has come into the innings with a clear plan to take down her UP Warriorz teammate Deepti Sharma. A six and four in each of the first two overs by the Indian offspinner.

Shankar: Perera's wicket has not affected Athapaththu and Samarawickrama's intent behind staying with the asking rate. The off-spinning duo of Sneh Rana and Deepti Sharma hold the key.

Shankar: This is the 38th time that the top three in a team innings in a Women’s ODI are all left-handers, 33 of them for Sri Lanka. They account for eight out of 10 such instances in World Cups. (Source:Cricbuzz)

A decent start for Sri Lanka in the run-chase as they look to chase down 271. But India’s title defence will be happening without too much crowd support. It’s around 9 pm here, the pre-match Zubeen tribute show and mid-match Shreya Ghoshal performances are over. The crowd has considerably thinned down

India needs to pick wickets here. One issue they will face throughout the evening is the wetness, which has been caused by the constant drizzle in the first innings, making it harder for the bowlers to grip the ball as it goes outside in the outfield. As we update, K Gaud is picking up Hasini Perera here.

Sri Lanka has started on a positive note here. They are playing a few shots, and when the ball is not there, they are rotating the strike nicely. The onus is on the Indian side here to force the issues. Also, it is interesting to see if there are any attacking fielders deployed by Harmanpreet Kaur for the Indian side here.

There is not much to work with in the initial couple of overs for the Indian new ball bowlers. They have managed to hit their straps, but it seems like the rain has affected the wicket a bit. It is Kranti Gaud and Amanjot Kaur that took the new ball for India.

SL need 271 and not 270 in 47 overs, based on DLS method

The Sri Lankan openers are in the middle; it is going to be a fascinating chase from them. These are not the easiest conditions to bat in, and the Indian side is stocked with spinners. But also on the flip side, India has to pick up wickets. It is going to be a fascinating chase, do stay with us.

For just the second time in Women’s ODI history, a team has gone past 250 after being 6 down for under 125. The first was also for India against Sri Lanka: 124/6 to 255/9 at Pallekele in 2022. (Source: Cricbuzz).

The original plan was to bowl a good line and length, her execution was good, she didn't start well but came back to pick those wickets. She wanted to contain the runs and bowl aggressively, she had that (of picking a 5-fer) chance but she missed it (dropped a return catch). It is within us and we are going to do it (to chase down this total). (translated to English by Rumesh Ratnayake)

In the end, that is a solid first innings total by India. They have managed to put on 269 runs on the board. It has been a tricky wicket and Sri Lanka did have a few early strikes, but as the innings went on, they started to lose their way, started to drop chances and India, thanks to Amanjot and Deepti, have managed to save the blushes. It is going to be an interesting chase to join for the 2nd innings.

250 up for India. Additionally, Deepthi Sharma has gone past her 50. The fielding from Sri Lanka has been quite ordinary today. If they had taken their opportunities, they could have scalped India for a lot lower total, but it was not meant to be today.

And the luck finally runs out, as Vishmi Gunaratne takes a stunner not long after putting down a tough chance earlier. Amanjot continued to attack but end of a fine innings, one filled with reprieves.

Amanjot Kaur has had some bad luck with injuries. And at unfortunate times in her career, but four dropped catches tonight and perhaps the cricketing gods are evening it out.

We have lost one more over due to that awfully brief rain delay. That also means that Sri Lanka’s powerplay will now be 9 overs now.

The blue covers on top of the pitch are in place, but the white covers that go over them and cover the entire square have been halted as the rain is not that heavy. This is not likely to be a long delay. But we might lose another over or two more possibly.

Shankar: This stand reminiscent to the one between Pooja Vastrakar and Sneh Rana against Pakistan at Mount Manganui in 2022. India were 114/6 then, and the pair took the eventual score to 244. India would not mind getting to that number today.

This has been quite a humid evening today here in Guwahati. There have been a number of water breaks, and this might be a theme throughout the campaign. We have seen the men's World Cup has had a fair share of issues where players struggled with humidity in a similar season.

Shankar: Despite the flurry of wickets a few overs ago, India going at almost 5 runs per over. These two have to take it as deep as possible or even bat out the remaining overs.

Vinayakk: Three boundaries in relatively quick succession from Amanjot Kaur and the fans are finding their voice again… and as I was typing that, the loudest cheer in a long time in the venue, not for a boundary but for a high catch dropped by Kulasooriya (who had been superb on the field so far tonight). Amanjot gets a life.

A steady stand brewing here between Deepti and Amanjot. Both batters haven't looked too ruffled and a four by Amanjot second ball of the 31st over in which Dilhari returned helps them take nine runs of it.

India 153/6 in 31 overs

Deepti Sharma is in the middle for India at the moment. She is on 13 off 10. Amanjot Kaur is at the other end and she is yet to score after five balls. India's party has been gatecrashed by their co-hosts here.

India 136/6 in 29 overs

Shankar Narayan: 5/6 wickets have fallen to spin. A layman may think this is a Day 5 rank turner. But it isn't the case. India have been undone by some fine bowling and soft dismissals.

Vinayakk Mohanarangan: This is turning into an abject collapse from India. A ridiculously loose shot from Richa Ghosh to what was an ordinary delivery from Chamari Athapathu. Sri Lanka have tried to keep just three fielders outside the circle for most part, and this pressure in the ring is paying off. Crazy scenes in Guwahati, the co-hosts are wrecking the hosts’ party plans.

Chamari Athapaththu strikes now and India are flat on the mat. She throws the last ball of the 27th over out wide and short. Ghosh tries to hit it into next day, she can't get under it and givrs Prabhodhani at cover point catching practice.

Ghosh c Prabodhani b Athapaththu 2 (6)

India 124/6 in 27 overs

A hush of silence falls in a pretty packed stadium at the moment. Just as Harleen Deol was starting to look in fluent touch, she lofts one to cover. Jemimah Rodrigues walks into the middle briskly but has to walk out after just one ball. Back-to-back wickets. And now, off the fifth ball, Inoka Ranaweera has THREE in the over. Harmanpreet plays the late cut and it is straight into the gloves off the wicketkeeper. The match has turned on its head potentially in the space of five balls.

India in a world of trouble. There is some music being played on the stadium speakers but otherwise, you might hear the pin drop. The crowd has been stunned.

– Vinayakk Mohanarangan

There was no hat-trick but who cares about that! Ranaweera, 39 years young, has put Sri Lanka right on top here. Short outside off, it seems to hold into the surface. Harmanpreet tries to dab it fine, edged to the wicketkeeper.

Kaur c Sanjeewani b Ranaweera 21 (19)

India 121/5 in 25.5 overs

Oh that is an incredible delivery from Ranaweera. Floated up on a length middle and off. It drifts in and then fizzes past Rodrigues outside edge to hit the off stump.

Rodrigues b Ranaweera 0 (1)

Ranaweera loops up the first ball of the 26th, Deol tries to push it down the ground but doesn't get to the pitch of the ball. It loops up and is caught at extra cover.

Deol c Dilhari b Ranaweera 48 (64)

India 120/3 in 25.1 overs

Shankar Narayan on the delivery that hit Harmanpreet: First indication that there may be some bounce on this pitch. Something for the Indian spinners to look into later on in the evening.

Over 23.4: Harmanpreet, who is batting without a helmet, tries to premeditate the sweep and te ball deflects onto her chin. Physio has to come out, that was pretty nasty actually. Harman pointing to her left chin. And she will continue to bat without a helmet. Strange, as Nasser Hussain points out on air that for a batter who loves to sweep SO OFTEN, it's a dangerous thing.

- Vinayakk Mohanarangan

Steady does it for India thus far. Their run rate is around 4.30, needs to be much better than that of course. But it is Harleen Deol and Harmanpreet Kaur out there and the Indians would want them to stay out there as long as they can.

Harleen on 36 off 56, Harmanpreet on 13 off 14.

India 100/2 in 23.1 overs

Shankar Narayan: Just as Pratika Rawal was starting to show glimpses of having another gear to her game, she falls. India may not fully mind that as they need to try and further up the scoring rate

Senior statesman Inoka Ranaweera strikes with just her second ball of the match! Rawal skips down the track, look to smash it over cow corner. Put she hits it a little squarer than she would've wanted, Vishmi Gunaratne in position to take but she juggles it a couple of times before completing the catch.

This brings out captain Harmanpreet Kaur into the middle.

Rawal c Gunaratne b Ranaweera 37 (59)

India 81/2 in 19.2 overs

Sugandika Kumari continues in the 18th, first four balls go for single and then Deol lofts the fifth over mid off for four. Then another single makes it nine runs in the over. Dilhari returns from the other end for the 19th, her fourth ball is edged through the empty slip region for a four. Seven runs off that one.

India 81/1 in 19 overs

Sugandika Kumari bowling the 16th over and her fourth ball is sent over mid off by Rawal for the first six of this World Cup. She skipped down the track and tonked it over the boundary, first real sign of intent from India in this innings.

India 59/1 in 16 overs

Shankar Narayan: A bit of game awareness needed from India. It could well be a slightly wet outfield. If they can rotate strike and keep the ball wet, it might make it harder for Sri Lankan bowlers.

Not too much movement on that scorecard in the first four overs since resumption. In fact, just seven runs have come in that period. Rawal is on 21 off 41 balls, Deol on 19 off 33.

India 50/1 in 14 overs

Vinayakk Mohanarangan: 18 off 30 Harleen, 20 off 28 Pratika, 48/1 after 13 overs. 68% dot balls so far in India's inings. This is pretty poor from India's top order, as good as Sri Lanka's bowling has been. But doesn't really come as a suprise.

The players are back on the field, resumption is imminent. Achini Kulasuriya has the ball in her hands, Harleen Deol is on strike with Pratika Rawal at the other end.

India 43/1 in 10 overs

Vinayakk Mohanarangan: The big screen at the venue confirms a 5pm restart. There is no rain at the moment, fans are back in their seats but a quick visit to the stands, and it still is pretty muggy conditions and there is a slight cloud cover still hovering above the stadium. But it looks better than it was last time around, Sri Lanka out warming up.

That is what the broadcasters and Vinayakk Mohanarangan both have to say. Here is Vinayakk: "After the umpires had a chat with both captains, all the covers are coming off. We are set for a 5 pm restart as per broadcasters, 48 overs per side."

Vinayakk Mohanarangan: Some better news. The outer covers, that were protecting the bowlers’ runup area either side of the pitch, are starting to come off. The supersopper is back on the ground.

Scratch that, the drizzle has gotten significantly heavier, more covers are coming on. 🌧️ and fans are heading away from the open areas in the stands. This is not going to be a short delay.

Ok ya bad news. All the covers went off, we looked good for a restart but now the main square has been covered again because there an annoyingly light drizzle. The kind of drizzle that wouldn't stop play but not good enough for restart

Broadcasters just flashed a message saying play to start at 4.35pm but I have a feeling that's being optimistic. It's gotten quite dark.

But alright, the groundstaff have clicked into gear as we say that and the main covers are coming off too. Umpires seem satisfied. Play should restart if there is no further rain but the floodlights are still very much in full operation

The outer covers have been removed, the supersopper is on but there is another thick dark cloud cover hovering now on the other side of the ground. The main covers are still on presumably because of that. If this opens up, we might be in for a long delay.

At the arrival area of Guwahati airport, flanked by brand endorsement banners of MS Dhoni and Sunil Gavaskar, there is a prominent display for the ICC Women’s World Cup, which kicks off in the city with a clash between India and Sri Lanka. And just as one exits, there is an even more prominent billboard for the tournament, featuring all eight captains, with dates listed out of the matches to take place at the ACA Stadium in Barsapara. But in the midst of these well-placed, welcome promotions for the marquee cricket tournament, one face is unmissable. That of Assam’s most prominent cultural icon, Zubeen Garg. With a city clearly still mourning – one localite says you’d never see Guwahati like this otherwise during Navratri – a cricket festival will begin on Tuesday. (Read more from Vinayakk Mohanarangan)

Vinayakk Mohanarangan, The Indian Express’ man on the ground in Guwahati for the Indian women’s team World Cup opener against Sri Lanka, has this to say:

It's just a steady drizzle but enough for the ground-staff to cover entire square and the runup areas. Actually, scratch that, it's getting heavier and more covers are coming on. There are some blue skies in the vicinity but just over the ground there is a dark cloud cover. Strange.

The Indian Express’ Shankar Narayan notes:

A shortened game might force India to look into their batting order and think of some changes to it. Promotions to Jemimah Rodrigues and Richa Ghosh, who can be busier at the crease, could be considered.

Vinayakk Mohanarangan, The Indian Express’ man on the ground in Guwahati for the Indian women’s team World Cup opener against Sri Lanka, has this to say:

Groundstaff are gathering in the sidelines, there is a little bit of drizzle around and promptly, the covers are now coming on. There were predictions of some thunderstorms today, scattered as they were. The covers are firmly in place now.

Just three runs come from that 10th over from Prabodhani before the powerplay ends. And we have some rain here so the game will be halted. It's not too heavy, so it should subside soon! But for now, the entire ground is going to be covered by white sheets.

As head into a break, here's what the two batters in the crease have been up to:

Pratika Rawal 18 (31b 2x4) and Harleen Deol 15 (19b 3x4)

The Indian Express' Shankar Narayan notes:

Sri Lanka have ensured there is no fixed pattern in their bowling. The Indian batters are now facing spin, inside the Powerplay, after having faced a slinging bowler and a left-arm seamer early on.

Harleen Deol 14 (15b 3x4) | Pratika Rawal 17 (29b 2x4)

A good over for India as Prabodhani offers width and Harleen Deol says thank you very much and sends the ball to the ropes. After that over, where India scored seven runs, Sri Lanka make a change in bowling.

Dasanyaka brought in. Spin is in

Harleen Deol 13 (13b 3x4) | Pratika Rawal 15 (25b 2x4)

Plenty of dot balls in the game so far as the Indians take it slow after Smriti Mandhana's dismissal. The camera pans to Mandhana sitting in the dressing room and she looks angry at the way she threw away her wicket.

The two women in the middle, meanwhile, now have to rebuild for the middle order to take the game anywhere close to 300.

Harleen Deol 8 (8b 2x4) | Pratika Rawal 8 (18b 1x4)

This is Chamari Athapaththu's 59th ODI as captain, the most for SL-W, surpassing Shashikala Siriwardene's 58 between 2005 and 2019. (Source: Cricbuzz)

The Indian Express' Shankar Narayan notes: This is where Shafali Verma could be missed. No one at the top take on the new ball and put early pressure on the bowlers if Smriti Mandhana falls early, like today.

Vinayakk Mohanarangan, The Indian Express’ man on the ground in Guwahati for the Indian women’s team World Cup opener against Sri Lanka, has this to say about Mandhana's wicket:

Huge early breakthrough. Smriti Mandhana was welcomed to the crease with a deep cover point. Cutting out one of her heavy scoring areas with boundaries. Sri Lanka have done their homework. And the world No 1, red-hot SM18 is gone in the 4th over! Big celebrations from the Sri Lankans, they know how much this means.

Smriti Mandhana departs for 8. What have you done Smriti! She got a fuller ball on the off, and she swung her bat at it, but it got some swing and ended up hitting the toe end of the bat. The fielder cannot catch cleanly the first time, but plucks the rebound out of the air as he dived ahead!

Smriti Mandhana's innings is done with IND 14/1

Smriti Mandhana c Gunaratne b Prabodhani 8 (10b 2x4 0x6) SR: 80

After playing out a maiden over first over, Smriti Mandhana punishes Achini Kulasooriya for two back-to-back fours! The pacer strayed on the leg side, and first one the pummeled a little fine to the ropes. Then, Kulasooriya strays again, and again, it's sent to the ropes!

IND are 13/0 after 3 overs

Vinayakk Mohanarangan, The Indian Express' man on the ground in Guwahati for the Indian women's team World Cup opener against Sri Lanka, has this to say:

11 dot balls and 1 four in the first two overs. As prolific as Smriti and Pratika have been since they got together as a partnership at the top of the order, the rotation of strike hasn’t been the greatest. And they have been involved in a few runouts too, nearly one at the start of the third over. Tentative from India at the start here.

A maiden over from Udeshika Prabodhani but Mandhana, who faced all the six balls of the second over, is middling the ball nicely.

A good start for Sri Lankan bowlers here!

Pratika Rawal starts off India's scoring on the second ball with a beautiful square cut. The first she had let go very hesitantly. Kulasooriya is a bowler with a slingy action, who adjusts her line immediately after being hit on the second ball and manages to bowl four dot balls.

A decent start for India here. Smriti Mandhana now comes on strike for the first time in the second over!

Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal to start us off. Achini Kulasooriya to start for Sri Lanka.

As the national anthems get underway, there is a cloud cover over the stadium and the food lights have been switched on, coming into full effect quickly.

Shreya Ghoshal singing the national anthem live at the venue to kickstart India's World Cup. That was pretty special. A wonderful reception as she walked out, a huge roar at the end of it. Wonderful start to proceedings in Guwahati, now time for the cricket.

The World Cup returns to India after 12 years, and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur is the only surviving member from the side that exited in the group stages. Since then, women’s cricket in India has seen rapid growth. The team now has more fearless and confident players, who have greater exposure to various conditions and improved facilities. They challenge the best teams worldwide.

The current squad has many experienced players who know how to perform at major global events. The 2025 Women’s World Cup gives them a chance to finally cross the final line and become heroes to more than a billion fans.

Everyone in the stadium is now standing up as a tribute to Zubeen is being performed. It's quite a surreal atmosphere in the stands right now

The head-to-head records when India women play Sri Lanka women is pretty lop-sided:

India: 31

Sri Lanka: 3

No Result: 1

IND-SL head-to-head in World Cups is

India: 3

Sri Lanka: 1

No Result: 1

The World Cup is back in India after 12 years, Sri Lanka could not qualify for the last World Cup in 2022.

India XI: Smriti Mandhana, Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Harmanpreet Kaur (capt), Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Amanjot Kaur, Sneh Rana, Kranti Goud, Shree Charani

Sri Lanka XI: Chamari Athapaththu (capt), Hasini Perera, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Vishmi Gunaratne, Kavisha Dilhari, Nilakshika Silva, Anushka Sanjeewani (wk), Sugandika Kumari, Achini Kulasuriya, Udeshika Prabodhani, Inoka Ranaweera

This should come as no surprise, Harmanpreet loses the toss. She doesn't have a great record with the coin in hand. Chamari opts to bowl first, says she trusts her bowling unit to do the job first up and expecting dew into the night.

A roar goes up as Harmanpreet walks to the interview. Says she was looking to bowl first as well. India did practice with wet balls last night.

Harmanpreet said two pacers and three spinners at the toss. We are awaiting a final confirmation of XI.

Amanjot Kaur is the second pacer, Renuka is not playing as we thought and Harman did say at the toss that everyone is fit, so presumably a tactical call and a big statement of confidence on Kranti Goud too. Sneh, Deepti and Charani are the three spinners. Pratika will be the sixth option if needed.

India will bat first after Sri Lanka win the toss! Chamari Athapaththu wins the toss and says they will prefer to bowl first.

"We were looking to bat first," says Harman with a shrug.

So India will bat first after the Sri Lankan captain Chamari Athapaththu wins the toss and asks India to come out first with the bat.

India captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, admits with a shrug that she would have done the same as well.

In her Pitch Report, India cricket legend Mithali Raj notes that there is a "lot of buzz in the air". Slightly skewed square boundaries - 54m to one side, 59m to the other. 67m hit straight down the ground.

Mithali notes, This pitch is good, it is hard and is a batting paradise. But there could be a bit of movement for the pacers early. Overall, a great wicket for the start of the Women's World Cup, Mithali concludes.

As we had noticed during the brief glimpse during the net sessions, Renuka didn't have a bowling stint and now she's not seen warming up either. Looks she might not be in the XI today. We should have an update soon as the captains walk out for the toss.

Here's Vinayakk's notes from the nets

Vinayakk Mohananragan notes: A Virat 18 jersey and a Smriti 18 jersey on display in one of the shops outside the ACA Stadium

A shop outside the venue was seen selling both Smriti 18 and Virat 18 jerseys. But among those wearing their own jerseys into the stadium it was no surprise to see a majority Virat 18 and Rohit 45.

Here's what Vinayakk Mohanarangan, The Indian Express' man on the ground in Guwahati, has to say:

A few hundred fans are in, in what's a very hot and very humid afternoon in Guwahati..and a huge roar went up as a rendition of Ya Ali by Zubeen Garg began. Every song is being met with cheers. As we had written in our preview, Zubeen da is still front and center in the mind of every person in Guwahati.

Here 's a look at who has won the previous editions of the Women's World Cup:

1973 Winner: England

1978 Winner: Australia

1982 Winner: Australia

1988 Winner: Australia

1993 Winner: England

1997 Winner: Australia

2000 Winner: New Zealand

2005 Winner: Australia

2009 Winner: England

2013 Winner: Australia

2017 Winner: England

2022 Winner: Australia

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the first match of the Women's World Cup where India are taking on fellow co-hosts Sri Lanka in Guwahati.

The India have never won the tournament in 12 editions. Harmanpreet Kaur and Co are hoping to change that this year.