Arundhati out, Mandhana to open? IND-W probable XI vs SL-W for Women's World Cup 2025

India Women vs Sri Lanka Women (Source: @ICC, @cricketworldcup,x.com)

The stage is set for the grand opening of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025, with India Women taking on Sri Lanka Women on Tuesday, September 30, at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati. As co-hosts of the tournament, India will begin their campaign in front of a packed home crowd.

Following a mixed run-up to the tournament, including a hard-fought 1-2 series loss to Australia Women and a historic multi-format series win against England Women on foreign soil, the Indian side enters the World Cup opener with strong momentum and a well-rounded squad. Let’s take a closer look at the probable playing XI for India Women in their opening clash against Sri Lanka.

India’s probable playing XI vs Sri Lanka women

Smriti Mandhana, Pratika Rawal and Harleen Deol (Openers)

India Women's premier batter and the backbone of the top order, Mandhana, is in sublime touch, having scored 928 ODI runs in 2025 at an average of 66 with four centuries and three fifties. Her form will be crucial to setting the tone early in the innings.

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(Smriti Mandhana's recent performance)

Pratika Rawal has been a reliable partner to Mandhana, providing solid starts and rotating strike efficiently. So far in her career, she has played 17 matches and scored 802 runs at an average of 50.12 and a strike-rate of 84.95.

Harleen Deol will likely bat at No. 3, bringing flair and aggression. Her ability to play spin well could be crucial on turning tracks, especially in Guwahati.

Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Jemimah Rodrigues (Middle-Order)

At 4, Harmanpreet will bring in-depth experience in the batting and leadership. Known for her match-winning knocks under pressure, she will look to lead from the front in India’s title bid, and most of India's journey in the World Cup will depend on her.

(Harmanpreet Kaur's recent performance)

At 5, Jemimah Rodrigues will add flexibility to India’s lineup. Her ability to switch gears and find gaps consistently makes her a crucial figure in the middle overs.

Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (WK)

One of the most complete all-rounders, Deepti offers balance with both bat and ball. Her off-spin will be a significant weapon, especially against a spin-vulnerable Sri Lankan batting order. Behind the stumps, Ghosh will bring agility and sharp glovework, but it is her explosive batting that has often turned the games and similar will be expected from her against Sri Lanka.

Sneh Rana, Radha Yadav, Kranti Goud, Renuka Singh Thakur

India’s most effective bowler in 2025 so far, is Sneh Rana. The star bowler has played 38 ODI matches for India and have bagged 50 wickets with an economy of 4.72. Her consistency and ability to pick up wickets in the middle overs can be a game-changer against Sri Lanka Women.

Radha Yadav adds variety to India’s bowling attack. Her control and discipline in the middle overs often build pressure. Kranti Goud has impressed with her ability to swing the new ball and contribute with handy lower-order runs, and she will also be a player to watch out for in the first match of the Women's World Cup. She was also impressive during the recent series against Australia. In the first ODI, she took one wicket, followed by three wickets in the 2nd ODI and again one wicket in the 3rd ODI.

Renuka Singh Thakur, India’s pace spearhead, will lead the attack with the new ball and a lot will depend on her in the first match. Her ability to generate movement early and strike in the power play will be crucial against Sri Lanka’s top order.

Another striking point to mention here is that Arundhati Reddy will likely not get a place in the playing XI as she faced an injury in the warm-up match against England. However, according to reports, Reddy is fine and is on the path to recovery.

So, having said this, the management might not include her in the first match.

Pratika Rawal, Smriti Mandhana, Harleen Deol, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wk), Sneh Rana, Radha Yadav, Kranti Gaud, Renuka Singh Thakur

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