Uncover the excitement of Smriti Mandhana’s century and Sneh Rana’s impressive four-wicket performance that secured India’s ODI success. Find out more!
Introduction:
India Women produced a commanding all-round performance to defeat Sri Lanka Women by 97 runs in the Women’s ODI Tri-Series final at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, on May 11, 2025. With this emphatic victory, India lifted the tri-series trophy, capping off a dominant campaign and reaffirming their status as one of the powerhouses in women’s cricket. See also: Dercksen’s Century and Tryon’s Hattrick Seal 76-Run-Win
Pre-Match Context: Favourites vs History-Makers
Heading into the final, India were widely regarded as favourites, boasting a batting-heavy lineup and a well-balanced bowling attack. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, had made its first appearance in the final of a multi-nation ODI tournament since 2009, hoping that their inspirational captain Chamari Athapaththu would lead from the front and spark an upset.
India’s Record-Breaking Batting Display
Winning the toss and electing to bat, India Women set the tone for the final with a record WODI total on Sri Lankan soil, amassing 342/7 in their 50 overs. The foundation was laid by opener Smriti Mandhana, who delivered a masterclass in pacing an innings, scoring a brilliant 116 off 101 balls to anchor the Indian effort. Mandhana’s knock was a blend of composure and aggression, as she assessed the conditions early before accelerating to dominate the Sri Lankan attack.
India’s top five all contributed, with Harleen Deol, Harmanpreet Kaur, and Jemimah Rodrigues providing vital partnerships and momentum through the middle overs. Towards the end, Amanjot Kaur and Deepti Sharma added valuable runs with powerful hitting, pushing India well past the 300-run mark. For Sri Lanka, Sugandika Kumari was the pick of the bowlers with two wickets, but the home side’s attack struggled to contain India’s deep batting lineup. See also: Smriti Mandhana’s Consistency Rewarded with No. 1 ODI Ranking
Sri Lanka’s Chase: Bright Start, Sudden Collapse
Chasing a daunting 343, Sri Lanka’s hopes rested on their experienced top order. The innings began poorly with the loss of a wicket in the very first over, but captain Chamari Athapaththu and young Vishmi Gunaratne steadied the ship with a 68-run partnership. However, Gunaratne’s failure to convert her start and Athapaththu’s dismissal immediately after reaching her half-century proved costly, leaving Sri Lanka needing a big effort from the middle order.
Nilakshika Silva and Harshitha Samarawickrama stitched together a 52-run stand, but boundaries were hard to come by, and the required rate kept climbing. Once Samarawickrama fell attempting to accelerate, Sri Lanka’s resistance crumbled. From 173/3, they collapsed to 192/7, with the Indian spinners tightening their grip and fielders effecting sharp run-outs.
Sneh Rana and Amanjot Kaur: Bowling Stars
India’s bowlers executed their plans with discipline and skill. Amanjot Kaur set the tone with an early breakthrough and returned to break a key partnership in her second spell. Sneh Rana was the standout performer, claiming 4/38 and earning the Player of the Series award for her 13 wickets across the tournament. Rana’s strategy of giving the ball air and following her captain’s plans paid dividends, as she ran through the Sri Lankan middle and lower order.
Amanjot Kaur supported well with 3/54, while the rest of the attack maintained tight lines and sharp fielding contributed to two crucial run-outs, leaving Sri Lanka all out for 245 in 44.2 overs.
Post-Match Reactions: Champions Celebrate, Sri Lanka Reflect
At the post-match presentation, Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur lifted the trophy alongside her jubilant teammates, celebrating a near-flawless campaign. Player of the Match Smriti Mandhana credited her success to assessing conditions and changing gears once set, while Sneh Rana expressed satisfaction at contributing with the ball and praised her team’s collective effort.
Sri Lankan skipper Chamari Athapaththu acknowledged India’s superiority and pointed to her team’s dropped catches and lack of power hitters as key areas for improvement ahead of the upcoming World Cup. She called for better fielding and more finishing power in the lower order, noting that chasing a 340-plus target was always going to be a monumental task.
Key Moments and Turning Points
Mandhana’s Century: Smriti Mandhana’s 116 set the platform for India’s imposing total and was the highest individual score of the match.
Middle-Order Contributions: Consistent partnerships through the middle overs kept India’s momentum high, with every batter playing a role.
Sri Lanka’s Collapse: After a steady start, the loss of Athapaththu and a lack of acceleration from the middle order led to a dramatic collapse, ending any hopes of an upset.
Sneh Rana’s Spell: Rana’s four-wicket haul broke the back of the Sri Lankan chase and sealed her status as the tournament’s best bowler.
What This Means for Both Teams
India’s triumph in Colombo underscores their depth, experience, and ability to deliver under pressure. With the World Cup on the horizon, the team’s blend of youth and experience, alongside proven match-winners like Mandhana, Rana, and Harmanpreet, bodes well for their ambitions on the global stage.
For Sri Lanka, the final was a learning experience. Their run to the final, the first in a multi-nation ODI event since 2009, is a positive sign. However, the defeat highlighted the need for greater consistency, sharper fielding, and more firepower in the lower order if they are to challenge the world’s best.
Conclusion
India Women’s 97-run victory over Sri Lanka Women in the Tri-Series final at Colombo was a showcase of their batting might, bowling discipline, and fielding sharpness. With standout performances from Smriti Mandhana and Sneh Rana, India outclassed the hosts in all departments to lift the trophy and send a strong message ahead of future international assignments.
