04 May, 2025 | 11:09 AM

Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bowl first against India in the latest match of the Women’s ODI tri-series at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Khettarama, Colombo, on Saturday. The decision comes on the back of their successful chase against South Africa on Friday and in anticipation of early assistance for bowlers on a slightly damp surface.

India, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, come into the game with momentum, having won both their matches in the tournament so far. The team remains unchanged, signaling their confidence in a settled XI that has performed well. Harmanpreet also mentioned at the toss that India would have preferred to bowl first, suggesting both teams expected some early movement with the ball.

Sri Lanka too have kept faith in the side that triumphed over South Africa, making no changes. Malki Madara, who starred with four wickets in that match, remains their sole frontline pace option. The spin trio of Inoka Ranaweera, Sugandika Kumari, and Dewmi Vihanga – playing just her second ODI – will likely play a key role on a surface that often favours slower bowlers.

Weather around Colombo posed some concerns with forecasted showers, but conditions at the start of the match were dry and only slightly overcast.

Playing XIs:

India:
Pratika Rawal, Smriti Mandhana, Harleen Deol, Harmanpreet Kaur (capt), Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Kashvee Gautam, Sneh Rana, Arundhati Reddy, N Shree Charani

Sri Lanka:
Chamari Athapaththu (capt), Hasini Perera, Vishmi Gunaratne, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Kaveesha Dilhari, Nilakshi de Silva, Anushka Sanjeewani, Dewmini Vihanga, Malki Madara, Sugandika Kumari, Inoka Ranaweera

India will be aiming to extend their unbeaten run, while Sri Lanka hope to build on their recent success and disrupt the tournament favourites on home soil.