Amidst the buzz around IPL 2025 and debates over the long-term winners and losers in the national setup, the India women’s cricket team will quietly resume preparations for this year’s World Cup. Their campaign kicks off on Sunday with the opening match of a crucial ODI tri-series against hosts Sri Lanka at the R Premadasa Stadium.
South Africa joins India and Sri Lanka as the third team in the series, and the timing couldn’t be better. With the Women’s ODI World Cup less than six months away, the tri-series offers an ideal platform for all three sides to fine-tune their squads and identify players who can deliver the ultimate prize in women’s 50-over cricket.
For India, the tri-series is not just about lifting the trophy — it’s about finding answers, particularly in the bowling department. After a disappointing failure to reach the semifinals of last year’s T20 World Cup, the spotlight is firmly on whether India can clinch the ODI World Cup, especially on home soil.
Since the 2022 ODI World Cup, India have used an astonishing 33 players across 24 ODIs, in sharp contrast to reigning champions Australia, who have fielded just 17. The Harmanpreet Kaur-led side returns to action following WPL 2025 and a six-match ODI winning streak — though those wins came against non-World Cup qualifiers like Ireland and West Indies.
The batting unit looks solid, with skipper Harmanpreet, vice-captain Smriti Mandhana, Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, and Richa Ghosh forming the core. Interestingly, despite a prolific domestic and WPL season, Shafali Verma has been overlooked for a national comeback. Instead, Pratika — who amassed 444 runs in six ODIs, the highest by any batter during that span — has been rewarded. Calm and composed, Pratika now has a golden chance to cement her place ahead of the World Cup.
From a bowling perspective, the tri-series promises intriguing developments. With key pacers Renuka Singh Thakur, Titas Sadhu, and Pooja Vastrakar sidelined due to injuries, Arundhati Reddy will lead the pace attack. Arundhati, who impressed with a four-wicket haul against Australia at Perth but was later omitted from the home ODIs, now has an opportunity to re-establish herself.
Adding depth are exciting seam-bowling all-rounders Kashvee Gautam and Amanjot Kaur. Kashvee, who emerged as the standout uncapped player in WPL 2025 with 11 wickets, brings not just bowling firepower but also lower-order hitting ability. Amanjot, meanwhile, shone for Mumbai Indians, stepping up as the Emerging Player of WPL 2025 in Pooja’s absence.
In the spin department, India still seeks clarity. Deepti Sharma remains a constant, and off-spinner Sneh Rana returns to the fold, but the team’s search for a dependable left-arm spinner continues. Since moving on from Rajeshwari Gayakwad, India has experimented with five different left-arm spinners — Radha Yadav, Tanuja Kanwer, Saika Ishaque, Anusha Bareddy, and Mannat Kashyap — without any firm success.
For the tri-series, India has placed their bets on youngsters N Shree Charani and Shuchi Upadhyay. Charani impressed in Delhi Capitals’ WPL 2025 campaign, while Shuchi emerged as a key bowler in Madhya Pradesh’s triumphant domestic one-day season.
Another major area of focus will be India’s sixth bowling option — a crucial factor in ODIs. With Harmanpreet’s bowling limited due to fitness concerns, identifying a reliable sixth bowler who can provide timely breakthroughs will be vital.
Sri Lanka, under the leadership of Chamari Athapaththu, boasts a strong spin attack featuring Inoka Ranaweera, Sugandika Kumari, Inoshi Priyadharshani, Kavisha Dilhari, and youngster Malki Madara. Harshitha Samarawickrama and Vishmi Gunaratne are expected to lend strong batting support to Athapaththu.
South Africa, led by Laura Wolvaardt and adjusting under new head coach Mandla Mashimbyi, face the challenge of adapting to sub-continental conditions, especially without seasoned campaigners Marizanne Kapp and Anneke Bosch.
Squads:
India: Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Smriti Mandhana, Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh, Yastika Bhatia, Deepti Sharma, Amanjot Kaur, Kashvee Gautam, Sneh Rana, Arundhati Reddy, Tejal Hasabnis, N Shree Charani, Shuchi Upadhyay.
Sri Lanka: Chamari Athapaththu (captain), Vishmi Gunaratne, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Nilakshi Silva, Kavisha Dilhari, Anushka Sanjeewani, Hasini Perera, Piumi Wathsala, Manudi Nanayakkara, Dewmi Vihanga, Inoka Ranaweera, Inoshi Fernando, Hansima Karunaratne, Rashmika Sewwandi, Malki Madara, Sugandika Kumari, Achini Kulasuriya.
(With IANS inputs)
