India Women host Sri Lanka Women in the opening T20I of a five-match series, kicking off their busy home summer. The match carries weight as both sides gear up for bigger challenges ahead, with India aiming to build momentum post their recent successes.
This is the 1st T20I of the Sri Lanka Women tour of India 2025-26, set for Sunday, December 21, 2025, at 7:00 PM IST (local time matches). The venue is ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
The Visakhapatnam pitch favors batters with good bounce, often leading to scores around 110-120 in T20s and minimal help for pacers early on. High-scoring games are common here, though spinners might find grip later. Weather looks clear with temperatures near 25°C, low rain risk (under 2%), 67% humidity, and light winds at 13 km/h.
India Women enter on a high after clinching their first T20I series win over England in July 2025, showing strong spin control and batting depth. They’ve dominated recent encounters, including an 82-run thrashing of Sri Lanka in the 2024 T20 World Cup. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, have struggled with just a handful of T20Is this year, losing narrowly to New Zealand recently and lacking match practice against top sides.
Head-to-Head Record
India Women lead the T20I head-to-head 20-5 out of 26 matches played (one no-result). They’ve won convincingly in recent clashes, including the last meeting where they posted 172/3 to skittle Sri Lanka for 90. In the last five encounters, India won four, with Sri Lanka’s lone victory in the 2024 Asia Cup (167/2 chased down 165/6).
Live Streaming Info:
Willow extra will be live: INDW vs SLW
Live Score Info:
Cricket lovers can watch the India Women vs Sri Lanka Women, 1st T20 Match live score from this website: www.espncricinfo.com
India Women vs Sri Lanka Women
Probable Playing XIs
India Women Probable XI: Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Richa Ghosh (wk), Amanjot Kaur, Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh, Kranti Gaud.
Sri Lanka Women Probable XI: Vishmi Rajapaksha Gunarathne, Chamari Athapaththu (c), Hasini Perera, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Kavisha Dilhari, Nilakshi de Silva, Rashmika Sewwandi, Inoka Ranaweera, Nimasha Madushani, Shashini Gimhani, Malki Madara.
India Women Analysis
India’s strength lies in explosive top-order batting from Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma, backed by Harmanpreet Kaur’s middle-order firepower and Richa Ghosh’s finishing. Their spin attack, led by Deepti Sharma (147 T20I wickets), Sneh Rana, and emerging talents like Kranti Gaud, controls the middle overs superbly. Weaknesses? Pace bowling can be inconsistent without Pooja Vastrakar, but recent form against England highlights their depth. Key performers include Mandhana with nearly 4,000 T20I runs and Deepti’s all-round impact.
Sri Lanka Women Analysis
Chamari Athapaththu remains the X-factor, capable of match-winning knocks, supported by Harshitha Samarawickrama and opener Vishmi Gunaratne. Spin is their forte with Inoka Ranaweera, Kavisha Dilhari, and Nimasha Madushani offering variety, but batting depth falters post-top order. Recent losses to New Zealand expose fielding lapses and lack of firepower against quality pace. Strengths shine in subcontinental conditions, but limited 2025 games leave them rusty.
Match Prediction
India’s superior form, home advantage, and batting firepower on a true Visakhapatnam surface give them the edge. Expect them to post 150+ and defend via spin, winning by 25-30 runs or chasing comfortably. Sri Lanka needs Athapaththu magic to upset, but India’s depth should prevail.