The ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 began with an unforgettable bang in Guwahati, as India clashed with Sri Lanka at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium. This electrifying opener not only witnessed a thrilling 59-run victory for India but also set a groundbreaking attendance record, drawing an astounding 22,843 fans. This monumental crowd surpassed the previous record of 15,935, which was set during the India-Pakistan ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Group A match in 2024, signaling a new era of enthusiasm for women’s cricket.
Adding to India’s triumph, star all-rounder Deepti Sharma etched her name in the history books by becoming India’s second-highest wicket-taker in women’s One Day International (ODI) cricket during this very match. Her stellar performance was a testament to the growing prowess within the Indian squad.
This record attendance is a significant milestone for the tournament, which continues to redefine standards in fan engagement and financial support for women’s cricket globally.
Cricket icon and ICC Hall of Famer, Sachin Tendulkar, lauded the remarkable advancements in women’s cricket. He remarked, "I must acknowledge the strides made in the past few years. The Women’s Premier League (WPL) has been nothing short of a game-changer. It has provided the platform, visibility, and financial security that generations of women cricketers could only dream of. A great deal of credit must go to Jay Shah, who, during his tenure as BCCI secretary, advocated for equal match fees for men and women and laid the groundwork for the WPL."
Tendulkar emphasized the profound impact of these initiatives: "These steps may appear administrative on paper, but in reality, they change lives. They tell every aspiring young girl that her passion is valued equally. I also want to thank the ICC for announcing record prize money for this tournament, even surpassing what was on offer for the men’s World Cup in 2023. Symbolically and practically, it sends a powerful message – that women’s cricket deserves not just applause, but equal respect."
In the rain-affected encounter, reduced to 47 overs per side, India batted first and posted a challenging total of 269/8. Sri Lanka’s chase of 271 started with flashes of brilliance but ultimately fell short, as they were restricted to 211 in 45.4 overs. Deepti Sharma spearheaded the bowling attack with impressive figures of 3/54, ably supported by Sneh Rana (2/32) and Shree Charani (2/37).
Deepti Sharma’s outstanding career now boasts 143 wickets in 113 matches at an average of 28.19, including two four-wicket hauls and three five-wicket hauls, with her personal best being 6/20.
Despite Sharma’s incredible achievement, Jhulan Goswami remains India’s all-time leading ODI bowler, with an impressive 255 wickets in 204 matches at an average of 22.04, making her the highest wicket-taker across all teams in women’s ODI cricket.