Harmanpreet Kaur for India - (Source: AFP)
For the first time since lifting the ICC Women's ODI Wolrd Cup 2025 on November 2, the Indian team are back in action and all set to lock horns against Sri Lanka women in the first of five match T20I series. The two heavyweights have arrived at the Dr. Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA–VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam which will host the curtain raiser.
During the coin flip, India have won the toss and opted to field first. Talking about the hosts, Vaishnavi Sharma has been handed her debut in Vizag. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, have not made massive changes to their usual XI.
India vs Sri Lanka 1st T20I : Playing XI
Sri Lanka Women Playing XI : Chamari Athapaththu (c), Hasini Perera, Harshitha Madavi Samarawickrama (vc), Vishmi Gunaratne, Nilakshi de Silva, Kaushani Nuthyangana (wk), Kavisha Dilhari, Malki Madara, Inoka Ranaweera, Kawya Kavindi, Shashini Gimhani
India Women Playing XI: Smriti Mandhana (vc), Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Amanjot Kaur, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gaud, Vaishnavi Sharma, Shree Charani
India vs Sri Lanka 1st T20I: Captains thoughts
Chamari Athapaththu (Sri Lanka Women Captain): "Actually, we had a good preparation. Last two weeks, we struggled with the weather. But the preparation has been good and hopefully, we have a good game today. Actually, we give opportunities to the youngsters. We will be giving six to seven youngsters an opportunity. I hope they play their best cricket today."
Harmanpreet Kaur (India Women Captain): "We will bowl first. Dew is going to play huge role. We have 3 pacers playing today and let's see how we use the conditions. We have one debutant in Vaishnavi. All old players are there. Everything is going well. New series and format for us and we will enjoy ourselves here also."
