Guwahati, Sep 30 (NationPress) India kicked off their ICC Women’s ODI World Cup journey with a rollercoaster performance but managed to conclude their innings on a triumphant note. Amanjot Kaur (57) and Deepti Sharma (53) both delivered impressive fifties, while Sneh Rana added a fiery cameo that overshadowed Inoka Ranaweera’sGuwahati’s Barsapara Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

A stellar batting display by Amanjot, Deepti, Harleen Deol (48), and Pratika Rawal (37) paved the way for India to set a competitive target of 269/8 in 47 overs, overcoming a middle-order collapse that had given Sri Lanka a slight advantage during the middle phase of the match.

The innings began with promise, but India faced an early challenge when opener Smriti Mandhana was dismissed for just eight runs off 10 balls. Her opening partner, Pratika, and top-order player Harleen navigated the tense early overs, concluding the first Power-play at 43/1.

Rain interrupted the match, delaying play by an hour and a half, leading to a reduction in overs. Upon resumption, the Indian batswomen struggled to regain their rhythm as the rain break disrupted their focus.

Inoka Ranaweera seized the moment, capturing three wickets in a mere five deliveries, causing a significant collapse for the Women in Blue. Deol departed after a gritty 48 runs off 64 balls, and Jemimah Rodrigues fell for a golden duck.

India's captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who appeared to be settling in, was also dismissed in the same over, adding to Ranaweera's impressive tally.

With Richa Ghosh promoted in the batting order, hopes rested on her to stabilize the innings. However, she quickly followed the other middle-order batters back to the pavilion in the 27th over, leaving India at a precarious 124/6, on the brink of failing to reach the 200 mark.

It was then that all-rounders Deepti Sharma and Amanjot Kaur took charge, stabilizing the innings post the loss of four wickets in quick succession. Amanjot, in her debut World Cup match, displayed resilience, scoring a superb half-century despite facing two dropped catches.

The duo formed a pivotal seventh-wicket partnership of 103 runs off 99 balls, setting the stage for a final assault.

Deepti, in great form, and Sneh unleashed a flurry of runs, with Sneh impressively scoring 28 runs off just 15 balls. Deepti concluded her innings with a run-a-ball 53, providing the Indian bowlers a fighting chance to defend a commendable total of 269/8 after 47 overs, as the rain had curtailed one more over.

Summary of scores: India 269/8 in 47 overs (Amanjot Kaur 57, Deepti Sharma 53, Harleen Deol 48, Sneh Rana 28*; Inoka Ranaweera 4-46, Udeshika Prabhodhani 2-55) against Sri Lanka.