Who Will Win India Women vs Sri Lanka Women 1st T20 2025 Match Prediction

The India Women vs Sri Lanka Women prediction for the 1st T20I of the five-match series sets the tone for an important phase in both teams’ preparations ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026. The opening match will be played at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam, a venue that has traditionally favoured bowlers and produced low-scoring contests in women’s T20 internationals. Despite India Women’s surprisingly poor record at this ground, they enter this series as reigning world champions and clear favourites against a rebuilding Sri Lanka Women side.

India Women come into this series with a settled core, strong leadership, and clearly defined roles across departments. With several players coming off successful domestic and franchise seasons, the hosts will be keen to regain rhythm in international cricket. Sri Lanka Women, on the other hand, are desperate for match practice after a stop-start year plagued by rain interruptions. Led by the experienced Chamari Athapaththu, they will see this series as a crucial opportunity to fine-tune combinations and test younger players against elite opposition.

Head-to-head history heavily favours India Women, who have won 20 of the 26 WT20Is played between the two sides. However, Sri Lanka Women do possess match-winners, particularly in spin-friendly conditions. With low average first-innings scores at Vizag and both teams likely to rely on spinners, the India Women vs Sri Lanka Women prediction points towards a tactical contest where adaptability and discipline will be decisive.

Match Details

India Women Preview (Team Analysis)

India Women return to international action as reigning world champions, carrying confidence, experience, and depth across all departments. The squad for this series closely resembles the core group that delivered success at the World Cup, ensuring continuity while allowing room for experimentation ahead of future tours.

The batting lineup remains India’s biggest strength. Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma provide aggressive starts, capable of neutralising early spin despite the challenging Vizag surface. Mandhana, in particular, has enjoyed success against Sri Lanka Women, scoring over 400 runs in WT20Is against them. Jemimah Rodrigues and Harleen Deol bring stability and fluency in the middle order, rotating strike effectively on slower tracks.

Captain Harmanpreet Kaur remains the heartbeat of the lineup. Her ability to absorb pressure and accelerate at will makes her invaluable, especially in low-scoring games. Richa Ghosh adds firepower down the order and is a proven finisher, while also offering sharp wicketkeeping skills.

India’s bowling unit is well suited to Vizag conditions. Deepti Sharma and Sneh Rana form a highly effective spin combination, capable of controlling the middle overs and extracting turn. Renuka Singh Thakur leads the pace attack with the new ball, while youngsters like Kranti Gaud and Sree Charani add variation and freshness.

India’s fielding standards and tactical discipline further strengthen their chances, making them a formidable unit despite past struggles at this venue.

Key Players: Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur, Deepti Sharma, Renuka Singh

Sri Lanka Women Preview (Team Analysis)

Sri Lanka Women enter this series seeking stability after a frustrating year disrupted by weather and lack of consistent international fixtures. While results have been mixed, the team still possesses experience and skill, particularly in spin-friendly conditions.

Chamari Athapaththu remains Sri Lanka’s talisman. Her record against India Women is outstanding, with over 570 runs in WT20Is, and much of Sri Lanka’s hopes rest on her shoulders. If she gets going, she has the ability to single-handedly change the complexion of a match.

The top order features Hasini Perera, Vishmi Gunaratne, and Harshitha Samarawickrama, all capable of building partnerships if they settle early. However, consistency has been an issue, and early wickets have often exposed the middle order. Nilakshika De Silva and Kavisha Dilhari provide depth, though converting starts into substantial scores remains a concern.

Sri Lanka’s bowling attack is heavily spin-oriented, which suits conditions at Visakhapatnam. Inoka Ranaweera and Shashini Gimhani are expected to play key roles, while Rashmika Sewwandi provides a pace option. The challenge for Sri Lanka will be maintaining discipline against India’s aggressive batters and backing up strong spells with sharp fielding.

Overall, Sri Lanka Women are competitive but need collective performances rather than isolated brilliance to challenge India.

Key Players: Chamari Athapaththu, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Inoka Ranaweera, Kavisha Dilhari

Team Squads

India Women Squad

Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Richa Ghosh, Renuka Singh Thakur, Kranti Gaud, Sree Charani

Sri Lanka Women Squad

Chamari Athapaththu, Hasini Perera, Vishmi Gunaratne, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Nilakshika De Silva, Kavisha Dilhari, Inoka Ranaweera, Shashini Gimhani, Rashmika Sewwandi, Malki Madara, Nimesha Madushani

Probable Playing XI

Favourite Team Today – India Women (Why?)

India Women are the clear favourites heading into this opening T20I due to their superior depth, experience, and all-round balance. Their batting lineup is packed with proven international performers who are comfortable playing spin, a crucial factor on the Vizag surface. The presence of multiple bowling options, particularly high-quality spinners like Deepti Sharma and Sneh Rana, gives India a significant advantage against a Sri Lankan lineup that has struggled for consistency. Additionally, India’s leadership group is settled, and their fielding standards are among the best in women’s cricket. While Sri Lanka Women have individual match-winners, India’s collective strength, tactical discipline, and recent success make them the stronger side going into this contest.

Pitch Report

The ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam traditionally offers slow, low surfaces that assist spinners. Batting becomes difficult as the ball grips and turns, especially in the second half of the innings. The average first-innings score in recent WT20Is here is around 117, indicating a bowler-friendly venue. Teams that rotate strike effectively and avoid risky shots tend to succeed. Spinners are expected to dominate, while pacers may struggle without variation.

Weather Report

Clear weather is expected in Visakhapatnam on match day. Temperatures will hover around 26–28°C with moderate humidity. No rain interruptions are forecast, ensuring a full game under lights.

Broadcast Details

The India Women vs Sri Lanka Women 1st T20I will be broadcast live on JioHotstar. Live streaming will be available exclusively on the JioHotstar digital platform.

Toss Prediction

The team winning the toss is likely to bat first, as chasing can be tricky on this surface once the pitch slows down and spinners come into play.

Probable Batsman & Bowler

Probable Batsman: Smriti Mandhana, Chamari Athapaththu
Probable Bowler: Deepti Sharma, Inoka Ranaweera

Smriti Mandhana’s ability to counter spin and score fluently makes her India’s most reliable batter in low-scoring matches. Chamari Athapaththu remains Sri Lanka’s biggest hope, capable of dominating even quality bowling attacks. With the ball, Deepti Sharma’s control and variations are expected to play a decisive role in the middle overs. Inoka Ranaweera, with her experience and accuracy, will be Sri Lanka’s key bowling threat on a turning track.

Also Check For More: Women’s Cricket Prediction

Also, once the toss takes place, we might modify the Today Match Prediction as per the playing XIs. Please check this blog after the toss for the updated Prediction.

Disclaimer: Predictions are for entertainment purposes only. We don’t get involved in or promote betting or gambling. Also, We strongly discourage behaviors of participating in illegal activities related to cricket. Our experts try to be as correct as possible, but we do not guarantee 100% correctness.

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