On a thrilling Sunday morning at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, the Sri Lanka Women’s cricket team won the toss and decided to bowl first against the India Women in the fourth match of the Women’s Tri-Nation Series 2025. This match, which commenced at 10:00 AM IST, promises to be an exciting contest as both teams come off victories in their previous outings.
India Women, led by captain Harmanpreet Kaur, are keen to build on their momentum and secure a spot in the final. They opened their campaign with an impressive nine-wicket win over Sri Lanka in a rain-affected match, followed by a narrow 15-run victory against South Africa. In both games, Smriti Mandhana showcased her batting prowess, contributing crucial runs to the team’s success. Today, she marks an important milestone, playing her 100th ODI match, joining the elite ranks of Indian women cricketers like Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami.
Mandhana has amassed 4,308 runs in her career at an average of 46.29, including ten centuries and thirty fifties. Her achievement today makes her the seventh Indian woman to reach the century mark in ODIs, a feat celebrated by her teammates and fans alike. As she steps onto the field, all eyes will be on her performance as she aims to add to her impressive tally.
In the previous matches, India’s batting lineup has shown great depth. In their first match against Sri Lanka, Mandhana scored 43 runs, while in the second match, she contributed 36 runs against South Africa. The team has demonstrated a balanced attack with both batters and bowlers stepping up when needed. Richa Ghosh has also been a standout performer, notching a quick fifty in the last match, which helped set a challenging target for the opposition.
Today, India’s playing XI features Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, and Jemimah Rodrigues, alongside the seasoned players like Harmanpreet Kaur and Deepti Sharma. The bowling attack remains unchanged, with Kashvee Gautam, Sneh Rana, and Arundhati Reddy expected to deliver crucial breakthroughs.
On the other side, Sri Lanka Women are looking to continue their winning streak after defeating South Africa in their last match. They are led by Chamari Athapaththu, whose leadership has been pivotal in guiding the team through challenging situations. The Sri Lankan squad includes players like Hasini Perera and Vishmi Gunaratne, who will be looking to capitalize on the momentum gained from their recent victory.
Both teams are unchanged from their last outings, indicating confidence in their current lineups. Athapaththu expressed her belief in the bowling attack, stating that they aim to maintain pressure on the Indian batters. “We played some good cricket in our last match, and we’re looking to keep that momentum going,” she said during the toss.
As the match progresses, fans are eager to see how the pitch behaves. The pitch report indicated it might have some moisture underneath, potentially aiding bowlers early on before settling into a batting-friendly surface later in the day. The par score on this wicket is expected to be around 225, making it imperative for both teams to assess the conditions and adapt their strategies accordingly.
The live streaming of the match can be followed on the FanCode app and website, as it will not be televised in India. Fans are eagerly tuning in to catch the action as the India Women look to assert their dominance in the series.
As the players take their positions on the field, the anticipation builds. Will Smriti Mandhana shine in her milestone match? Can Sri Lanka’s bowlers create early breakthroughs to put India under pressure? The answers will unfold as the game progresses, promising a day filled with exciting cricket.