On May 11, 2025, India Women delivered a commanding performance to clinch the Women’s Tri-Series title with a 97-run victory over Sri Lanka Women at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. The final was a showcase of India’s batting depth and bowling prowess, as they posted the highest women’s ODI score in Sri Lanka—342 for 7—and then restricted the hosts to 245 all out in 48.2 overs.
Smriti Mandhana led from the front with a scintillating 116 off 101 balls, her 11th ODI century and first in Sri Lanka, earning her the Player of the Match award. Contributions from Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Harmanpreet Kaur bolstered India’s total, while Sneh Rana’s exceptional 4 for 38 ensured Sri Lanka’s chase never gained momentum.
This victory, India’s fourth-highest ODI total, underscored their dominance over Sri Lanka, against whom they have lost only three times in 34 completed ODIs, and served as a strong statement ahead of the upcoming World Cup.
The match highlighted India’s evolving team dynamics, with multiple players stepping up to reduce the reliance on stalwarts like Mandhana and Kaur. India’s ability to consistently post high totals—scoring over 300 runs in six out of eight matches since December 2024—demonstrated their batting strength.
Sri Lanka, despite a valiant effort led by Chamari Athapaththu’s 51, struggled to match India’s intensity. Their bowlers were unable to contain India’s aggressive batting, and their batting lineup faltered under pressure, exposing areas for improvement as they prepare for future challenges.
India’s Batting: Smriti Mandhana’s Brilliance and Collective Strength
India’s innings was anchored by Smriti Mandhana’s masterful 116 off 101 balls, a knock that combined elegance and aggression. Scoring 34 runs through backward square leg and an equal number through the covers, Mandhana showcased her ability to manipulate the field with deft footwork.
Smriti’s century, reached off 92 balls with four successive sweeps for four off Chamari Athapaththu, was her third-highest score in a women’s ODI tournament final. She formed a solid 70-run opening partnership with Pratika Rawal (23 off 33), who survived an early dropped chance, and then dominated a 120-run second-wicket stand with Harleen Deol (47 off 56), scoring 80 runs to Deol’s 37.
The middle order maintained the momentum, with Harmanpreet Kaur smashing 41 off 30 balls and Jemimah Rodrigues contributing 44 off 29 balls in a rapid 48-run stand over 32 balls. Deepti Sharma’s 20 off 14 balls and Amanjot Kaur’s unbeaten 18 off 12 provided the finishing touches, helping India plunder 90 runs in the last 10 overs.
This performance reflected India’s batting depth, with five different batters scoring fifties or more during the tri-series, a sign of their reduced dependency on Mandhana and Kaur. The team’s top seven, now locked in, has shown consistency, with players like Rodrigues (360 runs in 2025 at a strike rate of 115) and Deol (511 runs since December 2024) stepping up significantly.
Sri Lanka’s Bowling: Overwhelmed by India’s Firepower
Sri Lanka’s bowlers faced a daunting task and struggled to contain India’s aggressive batting lineup. Vihanga, Sugandika Kumari, and Malki Madara each claimed two wickets but were expensive, conceding 69, 59, and 74 runs respectively in their 10 overs. Inoka Ranaweera took one wicket but leaked 62 runs, while Chamari Athapaththu’s eight overs went for 61 runs without reward.
The Sri Lankan attack lacked the discipline needed to disrupt India’s rhythm, particularly in the death overs, where India’s batters capitalized on loose deliveries. Dropped catches, including Mandhana on 21 and Rawal early in her innings, further compounded Sri Lanka’s woes, allowing India to build substantial partnerships.
Sri Lanka’s Batting: A Chase That Fell Short
Chasing a mammoth 343—the highest successful chase in women’s ODIs would have been a record—Sri Lanka’s batting lineup faced an uphill battle. The innings got off to a disastrous start when Hasini Perera was bowled by Amanjot Kaur for a duck in the third ball. Chamari Athapaththu, coming in at No. 3, played a fighting knock of 51 off 66 balls, including a 68-run second-wicket partnership with Vishmi Gunaratne (36 off 41).
However, Athapaththu’s dismissal by Sneh Rana in the 24th over, bowled by a full delivery that snuck under her bat, marked a turning point. At 121 for 3, Sri Lanka needed 222 runs off 26.4 overs, and the required run rate had climbed to over 8.5.
Nilakshika Silva (48 off 63) and Harshitha Samarawickrama (26 off 32) offered some resistance, but the mounting pressure led to regular wickets. Sugandika Kumari (27 off 29) delayed the inevitable, but Sri Lanka were bowled out for 245 in 48.2 overs. The chase exposed Sri Lanka’s inability to sustain partnerships under pressure and their struggle to accelerate against a disciplined Indian bowling attack.
India’s Bowling: Sneh Rana and Amanjot Kaur Shine
India’s bowling attack was clinical, with Sneh Rana emerging as the standout performer, finishing with 4 for 38 in 9.2 overs. Her offspin was instrumental in breaking Sri Lanka’s middle order, dismissing key batters like Athapaththu and Silva. Amanjot Kaur set the tone early, taking 3 for 54 in 8 overs, including the wickets of Hasini Perera and Vishmi Gunaratne. Rana’s performance also earned her the Player of the Series award, having been the leading wicket-taker in the tri-series.
India’s triumph in the Women’s Tri-Series final was a testament to their batting depth, bowling discipline, and overall team cohesion. Smriti Mandhana’s century set the stage, but it was the collective effort of the batting lineup and the bowlers, led by Sneh Rana and Amanjot Kaur, that sealed a comprehensive victory.
For Sri Lanka, the match highlighted areas for improvement, particularly in their bowling attack and ability to chase large totals. With no further matches scheduled before the World Cup, Sri Lanka face a challenging road ahead, while India’s dominant performance positions them as strong contenders for the global title.
This victory not only secured the tri-series trophy but also sent a clear message about India’s readiness for the challenges to come ahead of ICC Women’s ODI WC 2025 which is going to be staged in India later this year and team has got the caliber to win their maiden WC.
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