AUCKLAND — A commanding all-round performance from Deepti Sharma, who scored a vital half-century and claimed three crucial wickets, powered India to a convincing 59-run victory over Sri Lanka in their opening match of the 2022 ICC Women's Cricket World Cup at Seddon Park in Hamilton.
A Solid Foundation and a Deepti Masterclass
After being put into bat, India's innings was built on a series of steady partnerships, but it was the late flourish from Deepti Sharma that propelled them to a competitive total of 274. Smriti Mandhana and Yastika Bhatia provided a stable start, but it was the 92-run stand between Harmanpreet Kaur (41) and Deepti that truly steadied the ship after a mini-collapse. Deepti, coming in at a precarious 158/4, played a mature and intelligent innings, scoring an unbeaten 59 from 71 balls. Her knock was characterized by sharp running and well-timed boundaries, ensuring India capitalized on the final overs. Reflecting on her performance, Sharma stated, "The plan was simple - to build a partnership and then accelerate towards the end. I'm glad I could contribute to the team's total."
Sri Lanka's chase began with promise, with their top order showing intent. However, the Indian bowling attack, renowned for its discipline, slowly began to tighten the screws. The experienced Jhulan Goswami provided the initial breakthrough, but it was the spin trio of Deepti Sharma, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, and Poonam Yadav that ultimately strangled the Sri Lankan innings. The required run rate climbed steadily, forcing the Sri Lankan batters into errors. Key moments that turned the game in India's favor included:
- The crucial run-out of Chamari Athapaththu by a direct hit from Vastrakar.
- Deepti Sharma's double-wicket over that removed the set Hasini Perera and the dangerous Nilakshi de Silva.
- The consistent economic bowling from Rajeshwari Gayakwad, who conceded just 31 runs from her 10 overs.
Bowling Attack Fires in Unison
While Deepti Sharma's three-wicket haul rightfully grabbed the headlines, the victory was built on a collective bowling effort. Every bowler used by captain Mithali Raj chipped in with at least one wicket, demonstrating the variety and depth of the Indian attack. Pooja Vastrakar was particularly effective with her seamers in the middle overs, breaking a dangerous-looking partnership. The fielding support was also sharp, with the run-out of Sri Lankan skipper Chamari Athapaththu proving to be a pivotal moment. Mithali Raj praised the unit, saying, "It was a complete team performance. The batters put up a good total, and the bowlers executed their plans perfectly under pressure."
The Spin Web
The middle overs were dominated by India's spinners, who exploited the conditions brilliantly. Deepti Sharma's accuracy and subtle variations were complemented by the guile of Rajeshwari Gayakwad and the flight of Poonam Yadav. They collectively built immense pressure, drying up the boundaries and forcing the Sri Lankan batters to take risks against the turning ball. This period saw the run rate plummet and wickets fall at regular intervals, effectively sealing the game for India. The control exerted by the spin department was summed up by the fact that they combined for figures of 29 overs, 5 wickets for just 126 runs.
Sri Lanka's Valiant Fight Falls Short
For Sri Lanka, there were positives to take from the defeat. Their bowlers, led by the experienced Udeshika Prabodhani and the spin of Inoka Ranaweera, did well to restrict India for large parts of the innings. With the bat, they showed more fight than in previous encounters against India, but the loss of wickets at critical junctures hampered their momentum. Captain Chamari Athapaththu was visibly disappointed but acknowledged the quality of the opposition, "We fought hard, but India were the better team today. We lost wickets in clusters and that cost us the game. We need to learn from this and come back stronger."
The Lankan innings had moments of promise, particularly during the 50-run partnership between Hasini Perera and Hansima Karunaratne. However, the inability of any batter to convert a start into a match-winning score was their ultimate undoing. The team will look to address their batting frailties in the middle order as the tournament progresses. Key areas for improvement for Sri Lanka include:
- Building bigger partnerships in the middle overs.
- Improving their strike rotation to relieve pressure.
- Handling high-quality spin bowling more effectively.
A Statement of Intent from India
This comprehensive victory serves as a perfect start for India in their World Cup campaign. It showcased their ability to win through different avenues. When the top order faltered, the middle order absorbed the pressure and rebuilt. When the opposition was building a partnership, the bowlers found a way to break through. The win underlines their status as one of the tournament favorites, demonstrating a blend of experienced heads and impactful all-rounders. The form of Deepti Sharma, in particular, adds a formidable layer to their lineup, giving the team immense balance.
The victory was especially sweet for the Indian team, which has been building towards this tournament with a focus on peaking at the right time. The team management would be pleased with the fact that the victory was achieved without a single, dominant individual century, instead relying on contributions across the board. Coach Ramesh Powar was seen applauding the effort from the dressing room, likely content with the clinical execution of the game plan. A team source later commented, "This is the brand of cricket we want to play - resilient, smart, and fearless. It's a great foundation to build upon for the rest of the World Cup."
For Sri Lanka, the path ahead is challenging but not insurmountable. They displayed enough skill and fight to suggest they can be competitive in this tournament. Their next matches will be crucial, and they will need their star players, especially Chamari Athapaththu, to fire if they are to advance to the knockout stages. The team will need to regroup quickly and address the gaps exposed by a high-quality Indian side.
The match, played in front of a vibrant crowd, was a fantastic advertisement for women's cricket, featuring moments of individual brilliance, tactical nous, and intense competition. As the group stage continues, this opening win gives India two valuable points and significant net run-rate advantage, while providing Sri Lanka with a clear blueprint of what they need to improve to compete with the best teams in the world.
In the post-match press conference, a satisfied Indian captain Mithali Raj concluded, "You cannot ask for a better start than this. To put up a 270-plus total and then defend it with such a disciplined bowling performance gives the team a lot of confidence. Deepti was outstanding, but everyone played their role. It's a long tournament, and this is just the first step." The statement perfectly encapsulated a near-perfect day for the Women in Blue, who have firmly announced their World Cup ambitions.