The ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 got off to a stunning start in Guwahati as Sri Lanka’s experienced spinner Inoka Ranaweera produced a spell that silenced the Indian crowd. India, who entered the opening clash with high hopes of a dominant beginning, were left shocked by the veteran’s brilliance.

Ranaweera struck in the 26th over, a decisive moment that changed the momentum of the contest. In just six deliveries, the 39-year-old dismissed three of India’s most dependable batters. Harmanpreet Kaur, Jemimah Rodrigues and Harleen Deol, all walked back in quick succession. What seemed like a steady rebuild for India suddenly collapsed into chaos, thanks to Ranaweera’s artistry.

CWC 2025. IND-W vs SL-W: Inoka Ranaweera’s magical over stuns India with key wickets of Harmanpreet Kaur, Jemimah Rodrigues and Harleen Deol

Bowling the crucial 26th over, Ranaweera first went after Harleen, who had looked solid with her 48 off 64 deliveries. The left-arm spinner bowled a teasing delivery angling into Harleen’s body, forcing her into a mistimed shot that ballooned to extra cover, denying her a deserved half-century. On the very next ball, a fresh Jemimah walked in, only to be undone immediately. Ranaweera flighted the ball beautifully, and as Jemimah tried to defend, it straightened sharply and crashed into her off-stump.

The Guwahati crowd, which had been hopeful of a partnership, was stunned into silence as India’s promising batter departed for a golden duck. With two wickets in two balls, Ranaweera was suddenly on a hat-trick. Facing immense pressure, Deepti Sharma managed to keep her composure and defend the hat-trick delivery, sparing India further misery for the moment. But Ranaweera was not finished yet. On the final ball of the over, she delivered another masterstroke, a wider delivery that lured Harmanpreet into chasing it. The Indian skipper edged it straight to wicketkeeper Anushka Sanjeewani, who made no mistake. In one over, Ranaweera had dismantled India’s backbone, dismissing Harleen, Jemimah and Harmanpreet, leaving India reeling at a stage where control had seemed within their grasp.

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CWC 2025: India steady after collapse to post competitive total in Guwahati

The opening match of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 at Guwahati saw India Women stage a strong recovery to post 269/8 in their allotted 47 overs after being rocked by Sri Lanka’s disciplined bowling. Asked to bat first, India lost Smriti Mandhana early, but Pratika Rawal and Harleen dug in for a 67-run stand that rebuilt the innings slowly. Just as the pair looked set, veteran spinner Ranaweera produced a sensational over, dismissing Harleen, CWC debutant Jemimah and skipper Harmanpreet in quick succession to leave India reeling at 121/5. Richa Ghosh’s departure added to the woes, and Sri Lanka appeared to have full control.

However, the middle order turned the tide. Deepti Sharma anchored with a steady 53 off 53 balls, while Amanjot Kaur counter-attacked with a brisk 57 from 56 deliveries, combining for a crucial seventh-wicket partnership worth 103 runs. Their stand not only rescued India from a precarious position but also gave the innings much-needed momentum. Sneh Rana’s late flourish, 28 unbeaten off just 15 balls with two sixes, ensured India crossed the 250-mark, setting up a respectable total despite losing wickets at regular intervals. Ranaweera was the pick of the Sri Lankan bowlers with 4/46, while Udeshika Prabodhani’s two early strikes also proved vital.

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This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.