Hey there, cricket fans! If you’ve ever tuned into a match and felt that electric buzz when two teams clash, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Now, imagine that energy cranked up with the passion of women’s cricket, where every boundary feels like a breakthrough and every wicket a game-changer. That’s the story of the India Women’s National Cricket Team vs Sri Lanka Women Timeline—a tale of dominance, upsets, and unbreakable spirit that’s been unfolding on pitches across Asia and beyond for over two decades.
As someone who’s followed the game for years, I can tell you this rivalry isn’t just about stats or scores. It’s about the fire in Harmanpreet Kaur’s eyes, the cool-headed leadership of Chamari Athapaththu, and the way these women have pushed boundaries—both on and off the field. From their first tentative steps in the late 1990s to the high-stakes drama of the 2025 Women’s World Cup, this matchup has grown into a showcase of how far women’s cricket has come. And with India holding a commanding edge, yet Sri Lanka pulling off those heart-stopping surprises, it’s a timeline worth reliving.
In this piece, we’ll stroll through the years, highlighting key moments that shaped this duel. We’ll dive into a handy table of head-to-head highlights, share some fun facts, and wrap up with why this rivalry still feels as fresh as a dewy morning at Lord’s. Grab your cuppa (or chai, if you’re team India), and let’s get into it. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just dipping your toes into women’s cricket, this is going to be an easy, enjoyable ride.
The Early Days: Laying the Foundation (1997–2005)
Picture this: It’s 1997, and women’s cricket is still finding its feet globally. Sri Lanka Women made their international debut that year with a tour of the Netherlands, but their first real brush with India came soon after, during the 1997 Women’s World Cup in India. The hosts, led by legends like Purnima Rau, faced the Lankans in a group stage clash. India won by 74 runs, setting the tone for what would become a lopsided ledger. Smriti Mandhana wasn’t even born yet, but the seeds of rivalry were sown.
Fast forward to 2000, and the teams met again in the World Cup—this time in New Zealand. India, chasing a semi-final spot, thrashed Sri Lanka by 141 runs in a match that showcased their batting depth. Anjum Chopra’s gritty knocks were the talk of the town. By 2004, the inaugural Women’s Asia Cup rolled around in Colombo, a four-nation affair that boiled down to India vs. Sri Lanka after Pakistan’s withdrawal. India swept the series 3-0, with Neetu David spinning webs that left the Lankans tangled.
These early encounters weren’t just wins for India; they were masterclasses in building a program. Sri Lanka, underdogs from the start, learned fast. Their fielding sharpened, and players like Chamari (who debuted much later) would draw inspiration from these battles. By 2005, in the World Cup in South Africa, India edged out Sri Lanka by 5 wickets in a low-scoring thriller. Total ODIs by now? India led 10-1. It was clear: The Women in Blue were the big sisters, but the Lankans were growing up quick.
What made this era special? The sheer joy of it all. No mega prize money, no packed stadiums—just pure love for the game. Fans in small towns across India and Sri Lanka would huddle around radios, cheering for every run. It reminds me of my first cricket memory: sneaking peeks at matches with my family, feeling that same unfiltered excitement.
The Middle Years: Upsets and Momentum Shifts (2006–2015)
As the 2000s rolled on, women’s cricket started getting more spotlight, thanks to events like the Commonwealth Games and expanded World Cups. India and Sri Lanka met regularly in Asia Cups and bilateral series, with India continuing their streak. In the 2006 Asia Cup in India, the hosts whitewashed Sri Lanka 5-0 in ODIs, but the Lankans stole a T20I win—the first crack in India’s armor.
By 2008, another Asia Cup saw India dominate 5-0 again, but Sri Lanka’s bowlers like Udeshika Prabodhani began troubling the Indian top order. The 2010 World Cup in India brought them together in the Super Sixes; India won by 6 wickets, but not without a scare. Chamari Athapaththu, making her mark, smashed a quick 50, hinting at the fireworks to come.
The real turning point? 2013. In the Women’s World Cup in India, Sri Lanka stunned everyone—not just India, but the world—by beating England earlier in the tournament. Against India in the Super Sixes, they pulled off a 2-run upset in a rain-affected game. Chamari’s all-round heroics (35 runs and 2 wickets) lit up the scoreboard. It was Sri Lanka’s second ODI win over India, proving they weren’t just pushovers. India bounced back in other meets, like the 2014 Asia Cup (3-0), but that 2013 victory? It’s etched in folklore, much like India’s own giant-killing tales.
From 2014 to 2015, bilaterals kept the fire alive. India won series in Sri Lanka (3-0 in 2015), but T20Is saw more parity—Sri Lanka nabbing a couple of wins. By now, the rivalry had layers: India’s consistency versus Sri Lanka’s flair for chaos. Attendance grew, TV ratings spiked, and young girls in both nations picked up bats, dreaming of that next big clash. It’s heartwarming to think how these matches inspired a generation, turning backyard games into professional pursuits.
The Modern Era: Fireworks and Heartbreaks (2016–2025)
Enter the Harmanpreet-Chamari showdown. Since 2016, with the Women’s Premier League and global T20 boom, this rivalry exploded. In the 2016 Asia Cup, India edged Sri Lanka in the final by 3 wickets, but the Lankans’ fightback was fierce. 2017 World Cup semis? India crushed Sri Lanka by 8 wickets, with Rajeshwari Gayakwad’s 5-fer stealing the show.
But 2018 brought balance. Sri Lanka hosted India and won the T20I series 1-0, with Chamari’s century in the decider (a 178* off 109) remaining legendary. In ODIs, though, India ruled. The 2022 Commonwealth Games saw India win by 41 runs, but off-field, bonds strengthened—shared hotel laughs, mutual respect.
2024 was Sri Lanka’s year for upsets. In the Women’s T20 Asia Cup final in Dambulla, they chased 166 with 8 balls to spare, winning by 8 wickets. Chamari’s 75 and Harshitha’s finishing blows crushed Indian hearts. T20 World Cup group stage? India hammered them by 82 runs in Dubai, with Smriti Mandhana’s 112 setting the tone.
2025? Pure drama. The Sri Lanka Women’s ODI Tri-Series kicked off in April. In the opener on April 27 in Colombo, rain helped India chase 148 in 29.4 overs, winning by 9 wickets (Pratika Rawal 50*). The final on May 11? India posted 342/7 (Mandhana 116), Sri Lanka folded for 245—India won by 97 runs, Sneh Rana taking 15 series wickets.
Then, the pinnacle: ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 opener on September 30 in Guwahati. Rain-shortened to 47 overs, India recovered from 124/6 (thanks to Amanjot Kaur’s 57 and Deepti Sharma’s 53) to 269/8. Sri Lanka managed 211, falling 59 runs short (DLS). Deepti (3/54) earned Player of the Match, in front of a record 22,843 fans. Historic? Absolutely. As of October 6, 2025, India leads ODIs 31-3 (1 NR), T20Is 19-6.
This era’s magic? The players. Mandhana’s silken drives, Deepti’s all-round wizardry, Athapaththu’s power-hitting—they’re icons who make cricket relatable. And with the World Cup prize pool hitting USD 13.88 million, it’s proof the game’s evolving.
Head-to-Head India Women’s National Cricket Team vs Sri Lanka Women Timeline: The Numbers Don’t Lie
To make sense of all this, here’s a full table capturing the essence of their encounters. I’ve focused on key matches across formats, sorted by year, with results, margins, and standout performers. It’s not exhaustive (they’ve played 70+ games total), but it paints the picture perfectly. Easy to scan, right?
| Year | Date | Format | Match Type | Result | Margin | Key Performer (India) | Key Performer (Sri Lanka) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Dec 3 | ODI | World Cup Group | India won | 74 runs | Anjum Chopra (60) | None notable | Patiala, India |
| 2000 | Dec 15 | ODI | World Cup Group | India won | 141 runs | Mamta Moundekar (79*) | None notable | Christchurch, NZ |
| 2004 | Jan 10-18 | ODI | Asia Cup (3-0 series) | India won series | N/A | Jhulan Goswami (wickets) | Chamari Athapaththu (debut knocks) | Colombo, SL |
| 2005 | Mar 26 | ODI | World Cup Super Six | India won | 5 wkts | Anjum Chopra (34*) | None notable | Paarl, SA |
| 2006 | Nov 30-Dec 3 | ODI | Asia Cup (5-0) | India won series | N/A | Mithali Raj (runs) | Udeshika Prabodhani (bowling) | Madras, India |
| 2008 | May 1-6 | ODI | Asia Cup (5-0) | India won series | N/A | Harmanpreet Kaur (emerging) | None notable | Colombo, SL |
| 2010 | Mar 12 | ODI | World Cup Super Six | India won | 6 wkts | Virender Sehwag (wait, Jhulan! 3 wkts) | Chamari Athapaththu (50) | Gurgaon, India |
| 2013 | Feb 5 | ODI | World Cup Super Six | Sri Lanka won | 2 runs (D/L) | None (chase failed) | Chamari Athapaththu (35 & 2/20) | Cuttack, India |
| 2014 | Nov 21-24 | ODI | Asia Cup (3-0) | India won series | N/A | Smriti Mandhana (runs) | Harshitha Samarawickrama (debut) | Incheon, SK |
| 2015 | Sep 27-Oct 1 | ODI | Bilateral (3-0) | India won series | N/A | Mithali Raj (century) | Achini Kulasuriya (wkts) | Galle, SL |
| 2016 | Nov 26 | ODI | Asia Cup Final | India won | 3 wkts | Harmanpreet Kaur (50*) | Chamari Athapaththu (75) | Bangkok, Thailand |
| 2017 | Jul 23 | ODI | World Cup SF | India won | 8 wkts | Rajeshwari Gayakwad (5/29) | None notable | Derby, England |
| 2018 | Sep 29 | T20I | Bilateral Decider | Sri Lanka won | 7 wkts | None | Chamari Athapaththu (178*) | Colombo, SL |
| 2022 | Jul 31 | ODI | CWG Group | India won | 41 runs | Deepti Sharma (all-round) | Chamari Athapaththu (43) | Birmingham, England |
| 2024 | Jul 28 | T20I | Asia Cup Final | Sri Lanka won | 8 wkts | None (165 all out) | Chamari Athapaththu (75) | Dambulla, SL |
| 2024 | Oct 9 | T20I | T20 WC Group | India won | 82 runs | Smriti Mandhana (112) | None notable | Dubai, UAE |
| 2025 | Apr 27 | ODI | Tri-Series Opener | India won | 9 wkts (D/L) | Pratika Rawal (50*) | None (147 all out) | Colombo, SL |
| 2025 | May 11 | ODI | Tri-Series Final | India won | 97 runs | Smriti Mandhana (116) | Chamari Athapaththu (runs) | Colombo, SL |
| 2025 | Sep 30 | ODI | World Cup Opener | India won | 59 runs (D/L) | Deepti Sharma (53 & 3/54) | Inoka Ranaweera (4/46) | Guwahati, India |
*Note: Table focuses on landmark matches; full H2H: ODIs (India 31-3, 1 NR); T20Is (India 19-6). Data as of Oct 6, 2025.
See how India’s blue streak dominates, but those SL wins? They’re the spice—unpredictable and unforgettable.
Iconic Moments That Steal the Show
No timeline’s complete without the goosebump inducers. Remember Chamari’s 178* in 2018? She turned a T20I into a one-woman demolition, hitting 17 fours and 7 sixes—pure audacity! Or Deepti’s all-round masterclass in the 2025 World Cup opener: 53 to rescue India from collapse, then 3 wickets to seal the deal. And who can forget the 2013 upset? Sri Lanka defended a revised 139, with the last over thriller leaving Indian fans stunned.
These aren’t just plays; they’re stories. They teach resilience—like how India rebuilt after the 2024 Asia Cup loss, channeling it into tri-series glory. For Sri Lanka, they’re proof that heart trumps hierarchy.
Why This India Women’s National Cricket Team vs Sri Lanka Women Timeline Rivalry Matters Today
As we hit 2025, with the World Cup still fresh, this matchup symbolizes women’s cricket’s boom. Record crowds (22k+ in Guwahati!), equal pay pushes, and stars like Mandhana (top run-scorer vs SL with 498+ runs) shining bright. India chases that elusive ICC title since 1983 (men’s, but the hunger’s shared), while Sri Lanka builds on upsets to dream bigger.
