KAUR, SHARMA GUIDE INDIA WOMEN TO WINNING START

Amanjot Kaur and Deepti Sharma were the heroines for India Women in their comfortable 59-run win (DLS method) in the opening match of the 13th ICC Women's World Cup, played under floodlights at Guwahati yesterday.

- By M. SHAMIL AMIT

Sri Lanka Women, in pursuit of 271 runs for victory, were only able to muster 211, which saw India begin their campaign on a winning note.

The run chase was always going to be an uphill task for Sri Lanka. Openers, skipper Chamari Athapaththu and Hasini Perera, gave the side a steady start of 30 runs. Athapaththu then shared a 52-run stand for the second wicket with Harshitha Samarawickrama, before falling for 43 off 47 balls (four boundaries, three sixes). Her dismissal triggered a collapse, as the middle order failed to make an impression. Nilakshika Silva was the lone exception, scoring 35 off 29 balls with four boundaries and a six, but with no significant partnerships, Sri Lanka fell well behind the required rate.