The ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 has begun today, September 30, with the host nation India taking on Sri Lanka in the opening match at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati. This marks the start of India's quest to win their first-ever global title on home soil.
Match Details and Expectations
The match is scheduled to begin at 3:00 PM IST. An opening ceremony will precede the match, featuring singer Shreya Ghoshal performing the tournament's theme song and a tribute to the late local artist Zubeen Garg.
The pitch at Barsapara Cricket Stadium is generally considered batting-friendly, offering good pace and bounce, which allows batters to play their shots confidently. However, as the game progresses, the pitch might slow down slightly, potentially bringing spinners into play. There is also a slight chance of rain in the evening.
India's Form and Key Players
India enters the World Cup with strong momentum, having won 10 of their last 14 matches. They recently defeated England in both ODI and T20I series and also ended a losing streak against Australia. Smriti Mandhana has been in excellent form, averaging 66.28 in ODIs this year. Other key players for India include Harmanpreet Kaur, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Richa Ghosh. The return of Renuka Singh from injury bolsters the pace attack, while the spin department is led by Deepti Sharma, Radha Yadav, and Sneh Rana.
Sri Lanka's Challenge
Sri Lanka, led by Chamari Athapaththu, will be aiming to cause an upset. They will rely on the captain's experience and the potential of young all-rounder Dewmi Vihanga. Harshitha Samarawickrama is also expected to play a key role in the batting lineup. Sri Lanka has struggled for form in 2025, winning two and losing five of their eight ODIs.
Head-to-Head Record
India has a dominant record against Sri Lanka in Women's ODIs, with 31 wins in 35 games. On Indian soil, India has won nine out of 10 matches against Sri Lanka. In their last five encounters, India has won four times, while Sri Lanka has won once.
AI Predictions
According to AI predictions, India is the strong favorite to win the opening match. Perplexity AI suggests that India has a more experienced and in-form squad with strong batting depth and a versatile bowling attack. Grok predicts an India win by a significant margin, citing home advantage and superior form.
Where to Watch
In India, fans can watch the live telecast of the match on the Star Sports Network. Live streaming will be available on the JioHotstar app and website. In the United States, the match will be broadcast live on Willow TV and can be streamed on Fubo.
