India Women’s National Cricket Team vs Sri Lanka Women Timeline

Cricket is more than just a sport in India Women’s National Cricket Team vs Sri Lanka Women Timeline—it’s a passion that unites millions. The women’s cricket teams of both nations have given fans countless thrilling moments over the years, building a rivalry filled with intense battles, stunning performances, and unforgettable victories. From their first encounters in the late 1990s to recent clashes in 2025, the India Women’s National Cricket Team vs Sri Lanka Women Timeline have faced off in various formats, including One Day Internationals (ODIs), Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), and even a Test match. This article takes you through their journey, highlighting key matches, standout players, and the evolution of this exciting rivalry. To make it easy to follow, I’ve included a detailed table summarizing their head-to-head encounters.

The Early Days: A Slow but Steady Start India Women’s National Cricket Team vs Sri Lanka Women Timeline

Women’s cricket in both India Women’s National Cricket Team vs Sri Lanka Women Timeline began gaining traction in the late 20th century. India, with its rich cricketing history, formed the Women’s Cricket Association of India in 1973 and played their first Test match in 1976. Sri Lanka, a newer entrant, made their international debut in 1997 against the Netherlands. The two teams first met in 1997 during the Women’s World Cup in India, marking the beginning of a competitive rivalry.

That first match, an ODI on December 17, 1997, in Chandigarh, saw India dominate with a 104-run victory. India posted 176/6, led by Chanderkanta Kaul’s 46, while Sri Lanka struggled in their chase, bowled out for just 72. This set the tone for India’s early dominance, as they leveraged their experience and depth to outclass Sri Lanka in most encounters during the late 1990s and early 2000s.

The 2000s: India’s Dominance and Sri Lanka’s Growth

Throughout the 2000s, India maintained a strong edge. The teams clashed frequently in ODIs, particularly during the Women’s Asia Cup, which began in 2004. India won the inaugural Asia Cup in 2004, defeating Sri Lanka in a one-sided final by 10 wickets after bowling them out for 97. Key players like Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami emerged as stars for India, while Sri Lanka relied on players like Shashikala Siriwardene to keep them competitive.

A significant milestone came in 1998 when the teams played their only Test match to date, in Colombo. Sri Lanka scored 305/9d, with Chamani Seneviratna’s unbeaten 105 and a five-wicket haul in the same match. However, India’s disciplined bowling and batting secured a 10-wicket victory, showcasing their superiority in the longer format.

By the late 2000s, Sri Lanka began to show signs of improvement. In the 2008 Asia Cup, they pushed India harder, though India still won the final by 177 runs. Sri Lanka’s batting, led by players like Chamari Athapaththu, who debuted in 2009, started to gain consistency, setting the stage for closer contests in the future.

The 2010s: Sri Lanka’s Upsets and India’s Consistency

The 2010s saw Sri Lanka pull off some memorable upsets, even as India remained the stronger side. In the 2013 Women’s World Cup in India, Sri Lanka stunned the cricketing world by defeating England, a sign of their growing prowess. While they didn’t beat India in that tournament, their performances showed they were closing the gap.

A landmark moment came in 2016 during a T20I series in Colombo. Sri Lanka defeated India by 10 wickets in the third T20I, chasing 128 in just 17.1 overs, thanks to Chamari Athapaththu’s explosive 63 not out. This was a rare victory for Sri Lanka, as India won most of their encounters, including a 5-0 ODI series sweep in 2018.

The 2017 Women’s World Cup saw another chapter in this rivalry. India, led by Harmanpreet Kaur’s explosive batting, reached the final, while Sri Lanka struggled in the group stage. However, Sri Lanka’s ability to challenge India in bilateral series kept the rivalry alive. For instance, in 2018, Sri Lanka won a T20I in Katunayake by 3 wickets, with Athapaththu’s 57 proving decisive.

The 2020s: A More Balanced India Women’s National Cricket Team vs Sri Lanka Women Timeline Rivalry

The 2020s have seen the rivalry become more competitive, with Sri Lanka pulling off significant victories, particularly in T20Is. The 2022 bilateral series in Sri Lanka was a turning point. While India won the ODI series 3-0, Sri Lanka clinched the T20I series 2-1, with Athapaththu and Harshitha Samarawickrama leading the charge. This series showed Sri Lanka’s growing confidence against a formidable Indian side.

The 2024 Women’s T20 Asia Cup final in Dambulla was a historic moment for Sri Lanka. Chasing 166, Sri Lanka won by 8 wickets, with Athapaththu (61) and Samarawickrama (69*) starring in the chase. This victory marked Sri Lanka’s first Asia Cup title and their first win over India in a major tournament final. It was a moment of pride for Sri Lankan fans, who celebrated their team’s triumph over a strong Indian side led by Harmanpreet Kaur.

However, India bounced back in the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup in Dubai. Opting to bat, India posted 172/3, with Smriti Mandhana (50) and Harmanpreet Kaur (52) leading the way. Their bowlers, including Arundhati Reddy and Deepti Sharma, then restricted Sri Lanka to 90, securing an 82-run victory—the largest margin in their T20I history against Sri Lanka.

The 2025 Tri-Nation Series: A Thrilling Chapter

The 2025 Women’s ODI Tri-Nation Series in Colombo, featuring India, Sri Lanka, and South Africa, added new chapters to this rivalry. The series saw the teams face off twice before a final, with each match showcasing their strengths and weaknesses.

• 1st Match, April 27, 2025: India won by 9 wickets in a rain-reduced 39-over game. Sri Lanka were bowled out for 147, with S —neh Rana (3/31) and Deepti Sharma (2/22) leading India’s bowling. Smriti Mandhana (43) and Pratika Rawal (50*) guided India to an easy chase, finishing in 29.4 overs.
• 4th Match, May 4, 2025: Sri Lanka turned the tables, chasing 276 in a thrilling last-over victory. India posted 275/9, thanks to Richa Ghosh’s 58. Sri Lanka’s chase was powered by Nilakshika Silva (56) and Harshitha Samarawickrama (53), with Chamari Athapaththu’s 3/43 and Sugandika Kumari’s 3/44 restricting India. Sri Lanka won by 3 wickets, their first ODI win over India since 2018.
• Final, May 11, 2025: India reclaimed dominance in the final, posting 342/7, led by Smriti Mandhana’s 116. Harleen Deol (47), Jemimah Rodrigues (44), and Harmanpreet Kaur (41) chipped in. Sri Lanka managed 245, with Chamari Athapaththu (51) and Nilakshika Silva (48) fighting hard. Sneh Rana’s 4/38 and Amanjot Kaur’s 3/54 sealed a 97-run win for India, clinching the series title.

This series highlighted the growing competitiveness of the rivalry, with Sri Lanka showing they could challenge India, but India’s depth and experience often proved decisive.

Key Players and Their Impact

India

• Smriti Mandhana: A stylish left-hander, Mandhana has been a consistent performer, with her 11th ODI century in the 2025 Tri-Nation final being a highlight.
• Harmanpreet Kaur: The captain’s aggressive batting and leadership have been crucial, especially in high-pressure games like the 2024 T20 World Cup.
• Sneh Rana: The off-spinner’s 11 wickets in the 2025 Tri-Nation series, including a five-wicket haul against South Africa, made her a standout.
• Deepti Sharma: An all-rounder who has troubled Sri Lanka with both bat and ball, notably in the 2024 T20 World Cup.

Sri Lanka

• Chamari Athapaththu: The captain and all-rounder is Sri Lanka’s heartbeat, with multiple match-winning performances, including her 61 in the 2024 Asia Cup final.
• Harshitha Samarawickrama: A rising star, her 177 runs in the 2025 Tri-Nation series, including a fifty against India, showed her potential.
• Nilakshika Silva: Her consistent middle-order contributions, like the 56 in the 2025 series, have been vital for Sri Lanka.

India Women’s National Cricket Team vs Sri Lanka Women Timeline Head-to-Head Table

Below is a comprehensive table summarizing key matches between India Women’s National Cricket Team vs Sri Lanka Women Timeline across formats, based on available data up to July 2025.

The Bigger Picture: What This India Women’s National Cricket Team vs Sri Lanka Women Timeline Rivalry Means

The India Women’s National Cricket Team vs Sri Lanka Women Timeline rivalry is a testament to the growth of women’s cricket in Asia. India, with their larger resources and established players, have often had the upper hand, but Sri Lanka’s resilience and occasional upsets—like the 2024 Asia Cup final—show their potential to challenge the best. The 2025 Tri-Nation series, where both teams shared a win before India clinched the final, reflects how close this rivalry has become.

For fans, these matches are more than just games—they’re stories of grit, talent, and national pride. Young players like Pratika Rawal for India and Vishmi Gunaratne for Sri Lanka signal a bright future, while veterans like Harmanpreet Kaur and Chamari Athapaththu continue to inspire. As both teams prepare for the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, their rivalry will only intensify, promising more thrilling encounters.

Looking Ahead: The 2025 World Cup and Beyond

The upcoming Women’s ODI World Cup, starting September 30, 2025, will be a golden opportunity for both teams to showcase their skills on home soil. India, who reached the final in 2005 and 2017, will aim for their first title, with Harmanpreet Kaur leading a balanced squad. Sri Lanka, with their best World Cup finish being fifth in 2013, will look to leverage home support and players like Athapaththu to make a mark.

This rivalry is about more than just wins and losses—it’s about inspiring the next generation of cricketers. Whether it’s Mandhana’s elegant cover drives or Athapaththu’s fiery all-round performances, these players are role models for young girls dreaming of cricketing glory.

Conclusion

The India Women’s National Cricket Team vs Sri Lanka Women Timeline is a story of growth, competition, and mutual respect. From India’s dominance in the early years to Sri Lanka’s historic wins in recent times, this rivalry has produced moments that resonate with fans across borders. The table above captures the essence of their key clashes, but the real magic lies in the emotions these matches evoke—cheers, heartbreaks, and pride. As we look forward to more battles, one thing is certain: this rivalry will continue to light up women’s cricket for years to come.