india women vs. Sri Lanka women

The rivalry between the Indian and Sri Lankan women’s cricket teams is a story of historic dominance, rising regional competition, and a transformative year in 2025. While India has long held the upper hand, recent encounters have showcased a spirited Sri Lankan side that is no longer content with being the underdog.

A History of Dominance

For decades, the head-to-head record has been heavily skewed in favor of India. In One Day Internationals (ODIs), India has won 31 out of 35 encounters, while in T20Is, the gap is similarly wide, with India holding over 20 wins compared to Sri Lanka’s five.

India’s strength has historically been rooted in its depth. With legendary figures like Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami passing the torch to modern icons like Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana, the team has maintained a standard of excellence that few in Asia can match. In contrast, Sri Lanka has often been perceived as a “one-woman army,” relying heavily on the explosive brilliance of their captain, Chamari Athapaththu.

2025: A Landmark Year

The year 2025 has been particularly significant for this rivalry, defined by two major events:

1. The Women’s ODI World Cup

Co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka in late 2025, the tournament saw India emerge as world champions for the first time in history. The opening match in Guwahati set the tone, where India defeated Sri Lanka by 59 runs. While India went on to lift the trophy, Sri Lanka showed flashes of brilliance throughout the tournament, proving they could compete on the global stage.

2. Record-Breaking T20 Series

In December 2025, the teams faced off in a five-match T20I series in India. This series highlighted the widening gap in “power-hitting” and depth:

• The 221-Run Spectacle: In the fourth T20I at Thiruvananthapuram, India posted a mammoth 221/2, their highest-ever T20I total.
• The Opening Duo: Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma shared a record-breaking 162-run partnership, the highest for India in women’s T20Is.
• Personal Milestones: During this series, Smriti Mandhana became only the second Indian woman to surpass 10,000 international runs, achieving the feat faster than the legendary Mithali Raj.

Key Players and Dynamics

The rivalry is currently defined by a clash of styles and individual brilliance:

• India’s Core: The “Big Three” of Indian batting—Mandhana, Verma, and Kaur—provide a relentless attack, while Deepti Sharma remains the tactical heartbeat of the team, recently becoming the first Indian to take 150 T20I wickets.
• Sri Lanka’s Resilience: Beyond Athapaththu, players like Harshitha Samarawickrama and Kavisha Dilhari have begun to step up. Sri Lanka’s victory over India in the 2024 Asia Cup final (which they won just before the 2025 season) serves as a constant reminder that they can topple the giants when their plan comes together.

The Road Ahead

While India currently sits atop the throne as ODI World Champions, the “India vs. Sri Lanka” matchup is evolving. Sri Lanka is investing more in its domestic structure, and India is reaping the rewards of the Women’s Premier League (WPL).

As we look toward the 2026 T20 World Cup, this rivalry remains one of the most important in Asian cricket. It is no longer just about India winning; it is about how much Sri Lanka can close the gap and whether they can turn “flashes of brilliance” into sustained success.