Guwahati: Finishing runners-up twice before, Harmanpreet Kaur-led India will look to start their quest for their maiden ICC Women’s ODI World Cup trophy on a winning note when they face co-hosts Sri Lanka in the tournament opener here on Tuesday. India will try to make the most of the home advantage in the 13th edition of the tournament, which returns to the country after 12 years. They will also aim to bury the ghost of finishing second-best, which they did in 2005 and 2017. In 2005, India endured a heavy defeat against seven-time world champions Australia, while in 2017 it was a narrow nine-run loss to the English women. Enjoying a one-sided record over their continental opponents Sri Lanka in ODIs, a win in the opening game at Barsapara Cricket Stadium will help the Indian women set the tone for the long tournament. In 35 ODIs against Sri Lanka, India have won 31, Sri Lanka have won three, and there was no result on one occasion. Despite their recent hard-fought 1-2 bilateral series loss to the Australia Women in the lead-up to the marquee eight-team ICC event, India will start the game as firm favourites against the Lankans. Before the Australia series, Kaur and Co. had beaten four-time ODI World Cup champions England in ODI and T20I series. World No. 3 India’s batting will largely revolve around Smriti Mandhana. The vice-captain is in red-hot form with back-to-back centuries against the Aussies, and it was due to her heroics that India almost chased down 413 in the final ODI in New Delhi. Young opener Pratika Rawal, captain Kaur, wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh, and fit-again Jemimah Rodriguez will be the other batters India will bank upon. Pacer Renuka Singh’s timely return from a stress fracture injury will also give India a boost for the World Cup. She will spearhead the pace attack, which is young and thin on experience — Kranti Gour, Arundhati Reddy, and Amanjot Kaur. Traditionally offering more support to the spinners, it will be interesting to see how the home conditions benefit the Indian team.
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