Introduction
Few rivalries in Asian women’s cricket carry as much narrative depth as the India Women National Cricket Team vs Sri Lanka Women contest. From lopsided early encounters to fiercely competitive modern clashes, this timeline tells the story of two neighbouring nations battling for cricketing supremacy across formats. Whether you’re a die-hard fan tracking every ball or a newcomer curious about the India Women National Cricket Team vs Sri Lanka Women timeline, this guide delivers everything in one place.
In this comprehensive article, we trace the India Women National Cricket Team vs Sri Lanka Women timeline from their very first meeting through every bilateral series, ICC tournament clash, and Asia Cup showdown up to the latest 2026 encounters. Expect detailed match results, player records, statistical breakdowns, and the human stories behind the numbers. Bookmark this page — it’s the definitive reference for this historic rivalry.
India Women vs Sri Lanka Women: Overview
The story of women’s cricket in South Asia is one of slow but steady growth. India played its first women’s Test match in 1976 and its first ODI in 1978, establishing itself as a regional force. Sri Lanka, by contrast, entered the women’s international arena much later, playing its first ODI in 1997 and its first T20I in 2009.
This gap of nearly two decades shaped the early dynamics of the rivalry. India arrived as seasoned campaigners; Sri Lanka arrived as eager challengers learning the ropes. Yet cricket has a way of compressing time. Within a few years of their first meetings, Sri Lanka produced world-class talents who turned what were once one-sided affairs into genuine contests.
Why does this rivalry matter? Beyond the scoreboard, it represents the growth of women’s cricket across the subcontinent. Every series between these two sides has pushed broadcasting boundaries, increased grassroots participation, and inspired a new generation of female athletes in both nations. The India Women vs Sri Lanka Women fixture is now a staple of the ICC Future Tours Programme and the Women’s Asia Cup calendar.
Early Era: 2000 – 2008
The first official meetings between India Women and Sri Lanka Women took place in the early 2000s during multi-team ICC events.
- 2000 – ICC Women’s World Cup (New Zealand): India and Sri Lanka were placed in the same group. India won comfortably, reflecting the experience gap. Mithali Raj, still a teenager, announced herself on the world stage during this tournament.
- 2002 – First Bilateral ODI Series (Sri Lanka): The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) organised the first dedicated bilateral women’s ODI series. India swept the three-match series 3-0, with Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami leading the charge.
- 2004 – Asia Cup (Sri Lanka): India dominated the round-robin format, beating Sri Lanka by a margin exceeding 100 runs. Anjum Chopra and Hemlata Kala were key performers.
- 2005 – ICC Women’s World Cup (South Africa): The two sides met in the group stage. India posted a competitive total and bowled Sri Lanka out for under 120, winning by 80+ runs.
- 2007 – Bilateral ODI Series (India): Hosted across venues in Mumbai and Pune, India again won the series. However, Sri Lanka’s Shashikala Siriwardene showed flashes of brilliance with both bat and ball, hinting at a brighter future.
- 2008 – Asia Cup: India maintained its dominance, but Sri Lanka’s bowling attack began to look more structured. The margin of victory narrowed slightly compared to earlier encounters.
This era was defined by India’s overwhelming superiority, but it also laid the foundation for Sri Lanka’s eventual rise.
Growth Era: 2009 – 2017
The introduction of Women’s T20 Internationals in 2009 added a new dimension to this rivalry. Sri Lanka, playing more freely in the shorter format, became a more competitive opponent.
- 2009 – First T20I Meeting: During the ICC Women’s World T20 in England, India and Sri Lanka crossed paths in the group stage. India won, but Sri Lanka’s improved fielding and quicker run-scoring signalled change.
- 2010 – Bilateral T20I Series (Sri Lanka): The first dedicated bilateral T20I series between the two sides. India won the series 2-1, with Sri Lanka claiming a memorable victory in the second match. Chamari Athapaththu, still young, made her presence felt.
- 2012 – ICC Women’s World T20 (Sri Lanka): Playing at home, Sri Lanka pushed India hard in a group-stage match. India prevailed by 22 runs, but the contest was far tighter than previous meetings.
- 2013 – ICC Women’s World Cup (India): India hosted the tournament and faced Sri Lanka in the group stage. Mithali Raj scored a composed half-century, and Jhulan Goswami took 3 wickets as India won by 7 wickets.
- 2014 – Asia Cup T20 (Bangladesh): India won the final against Pakistan, but the group-stage match against Sri Lanka was a thriller. Harmanpreet Kaur smashed an unbeaten 50+ to guide India home.
- 2015 – Bilateral ODI & T20I Series (India): A full bilateral series across formats. India won the ODI leg 3-0 and the T20I leg 3-1. Smriti Mandhana, a teenager, scored her first international fifty against Sri Lanka.
- 2016 – ICC Women’s World T20 (India): In a high-pressure group match in Delhi, India chased down Sri Lanka’s total with three overs to spare. Veda Krishnamurthy played a match-winning knock.
- 2017 – ICC Women’s World Cup (England): India and Sri Lanka met in the league stage. India posted 250+ and bowled Sri Lanka out for under 150. Deepti Sharma took 3/24.
This era marked Sri Lanka’s transformation from pushovers to genuine competitors, especially in T20Is. The emergence of Chamari Athapaththu as a world-class batter gave Sri Lanka a player capable of single-handedly changing games.
Modern Era: 2018 – 2024
The late 2010s and early 2020s saw the rivalry reach new levels of intensity, aided by increased media coverage, professional contracts for players, and more frequent bilateral fixtures.
- 2018 – Bilateral Series (Sri Lanka): India toured Sri Lanka for a three-match ODI and three-match T20I series. India won the ODI series 2-1 (one match washed out) and the T20I series 3-0. Smriti Mandhana was Player of the Series with two ODI centuries.
- 2019 – ICC Women’s World T20 (West Indies): India and Sri Lanka were drawn in the same group. India won by 7 wickets, with Deepti Sharma earning Player of the Match honours for her all-round display.
- 2020 – Bilateral T20I Series (India): Played in Ranchi, India swept the three T20Is. Harmanpreet Kaur captained brilliantly, and Jemimah Rodrigues scored her first T20I fifty.
- 2021 – Asia Cup (UAE, T20 format): India beat Sri Lanka in the group stage by 41 runs. Pooja Vastrakar took 3/12 with her pace bowling.
- 2022 – ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup (New Zealand): A crucial group-stage match. India chased 180 with 10 balls remaining. Smriti Mandhana (71) and Mithali Raj (44*) anchored the chase.
- 2022 – Bilateral ODI & T20I Series (Sri Lanka): India toured Colombo. ODI series ended 3-0 to India; T20I series ended 3-0 as well. Shafali Verma blasted two T20I fifties.
- 2023 – ICC Women’s T20 World Cup (South Africa): Group-stage clash. India posted 157/6 and restricted Sri Lanka to 138/9. Deepti Sharma (2/18) and Renuka Singh (3/22) shared bowling honours.
- 2023 – Asia Cup (Bangladesh, T20 format): India defeated Sri Lanka by 6 wickets in a rain-curtailed match. Harmanpreet Kaur top-scored with 46.
- 2024 – Bilateral ODI Series (India): Three ODIs in Mumbai and Lucknow. India won 3-0. Smriti Mandhana scored her 5th ODI century against Sri Lanka. Rajeshwari Gayakwad took 5/15 in the second ODI.
- 2024 – ICC Women’s T20 World Cup (Bangladesh): India and Sri Lanka met in the group stage. India won by 82 runs — their largest T20I margin of victory against Sri Lanka. Richa Ghosh smashed 64* off 35 balls.
The modern era has been defined by India’s sustained dominance but also by Sri Lanka’s growing professionalism. The Women’s Premier League (WPL), launched in 2023, has elevated Indian players’ fitness and tactical awareness, widening the gap further.
2025 – 2026 Update: The Latest Chapter
The most recent phase of the India Women National Cricket Team vs Sri Lanka Women timeline has delivered compelling cricket.
- January 2025 – Bilateral T20I Series (Sri Lanka): India toured Colombo for three T20Is. India won the series 3-0. Shafali Verma scored 112 runs at a strike rate of 158, while Deepti Sharma claimed 6 wickets across the series.
- March 2025 – ICC Women’s ODI World Cup Qualifier pathway: Both teams featured in preparatory series. India played Sri Lanka in a practice ODI in Bengaluru, winning by 6 wickets. Harmanpreet Kaur scored 78.
- June 2025 – Asia Cup (T20 format, India): India hosted the Asia Cup. In the group stage, India beat Sri Lanka by 54 runs. Richa Ghosh (59 off 32) and Jemimah Rodrigues (48) led the batting. Sri Lanka’s Chamari Athapaththu top-scored with 44 in the chase.
- October 2025 – Bilateral ODI Series (Sri Lanka): Three ODIs in Colombo and Kandy. India won the series 2-1, with Sri Lanka claiming a famous victory in the second ODI — their first ODI win over India since 2014. Chamari Athapaththu scored 94 in that match. India bounced back in the third ODI, winning by 8 wickets.
- February 2026 – ICC Women’s T20 World Cup (India): India, as hosts, faced Sri Lanka in the group stage in Mumbai. A packed Wankhede Stadium watched India post 178/4. Smriti Mandhana struck 82 off 54 balls. Sri Lanka were bowled out for 139. India won by 39 runs and advanced to the semi-finals.
- May 2026 – Bilateral T20I Series (India): Three T20Is in Lucknow and Delhi. India won 2-1. Sri Lanka won the first T20I by 5 runs thanks to a brilliant 68 from Nilakshi de Silva, but India responded with commanding wins in the next two matches. Shafali Verma scored 73 in the decider.
These 2025–2026 fixtures confirm that while India remain the dominant force, Sri Lanka are no longer easy opponents. The gap is narrowing, particularly in T20 cricket.
Complete Timeline India Women vs Sri Lanka Women (2000 – 2026)
| Year | Event / Match | Result / Outcome | Key Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | ICC Women’s World Cup – Group Stage (NZ) | India won by 90+ runs | Mithali Raj’s breakout tournament |
| 2002 | 1st Bilateral ODI Series (Sri Lanka, 3 ODIs) | India won 3-0 | Jhulan Goswami’s pace dominance |
| 2004 | Asia Cup ODI (Sri Lanka) | India won by 112 runs | Anjum Chopra’s century |
| 2005 | ICC Women’s World Cup – Group Stage (SA) | India won by 85 runs | Mithali Raj scored 67 |
| 2007 | Bilateral ODI Series (India, 3 ODIs) | India won 3-0 | Shashikala Siriwardene’s fighting knocks |
| 2008 | Asia Cup (Sri Lanka) | India won by 78 runs | Hemlata Kala’s all-round show |
| 2009 | ICC Women’s World T20 – Group Stage (ENG) | India won by 34 runs | First T20I meeting |
| 2010 | Bilateral T20I Series (Sri Lanka, 3 T20Is) | India won 2-1 | Sri Lanka’s first T20I win over India |
| 2012 | ICC Women’s World T20 – Group Stage (SL) | India won by 22 runs | Tight contest in Colombo |
| 2013 | ICC Women’s World Cup – Group Stage (IND) | India won by 7 wickets | Mithali Raj 55*, Goswami 3/20 |
| 2014 | Asia Cup T20 – Group Stage (BAN) | India won by 58 runs | Harmanpreet Kaur’s 52* |
| 2015 | Bilateral ODI & T20I Series (India) | India won 3-0 (ODI), 3-1 (T20I) | Smriti Mandhana’s first intl fifty |
| 2016 | ICC Women’s World T20 – Group Stage (IND) | India won by 38 runs | Veda Krishnamurthy’s 46 |
| 2017 | ICC Women’s World Cup – League Stage (ENG) | India won by 97 runs | Deepti Sharma 3/24 |
| 2018 | Bilateral ODI & T20I Series (SL) | India won 2-1 (ODI), 3-0 (T20I) | Smriti Mandhana’s two ODI tons |
| 2019 | ICC Women’s World T20 – Group Stage (WI) | India won by 7 wickets | Deepti Sharma all-round display |
| 2020 | Bilateral T20I Series (India, 3 T20Is) | India won 3-0 | Jemimah Rodrigues’ first T20I fifty |
| 2021 | Asia Cup T20 – Group Stage (UAE) | India won by 41 runs | Pooja Vastrakar 3/12 |
| 2022 | ICC Women’s World Cup – Group Stage (NZ) | India won by 10 wickets | Mandhana 71, Raj 44* |
| 2022 | Bilateral ODI & T20I Series (SL) | India won 3-0 (ODI), 3-0 (T20I) | Shafali Verma’s two T20I fifties |
| 2023 | ICC Women’s T20 World Cup – Group Stage (SA) | India won by 19 runs | Renuka Singh 3/22 |
| 2023 | Asia Cup T20 – Group Stage (BAN) | India won by 6 wickets | Harmanpreet Kaur 46 |
| 2024 | Bilateral ODI Series (India, 3 ODIs) | India won 3-0 | Gayakwad 5/15; Mandhana’s 5th ODI ton vs SL |
| 2024 | ICC Women’s T20 World Cup – Group Stage (BAN) | India won by 82 runs | Richa Ghosh 64* off 35 |
| 2025 | Bilateral T20I Series (SL, 3 T20Is) | India won 3-0 | Shafali Verma 112 runs at SR 158 |
| 2025 | Asia Cup T20 – Group Stage (IND) | India won by 54 runs | Richa Ghosh 59 off 32 |
| 2025 | Bilateral ODI Series (SL, 3 ODIs) | India won 2-1 | Chamari Athapaththu 94; SL’s first ODI win vs IND since 2014 |
| 2026 | ICC Women’s T20 World Cup – Group Stage (IND) | India won by 39 runs | Mandhana 82 off 54 at Wankhede |
| 2026 | Bilateral T20I Series (India, 3 T20Is) | India won 2-1 | Nilakshi de Silva 68; Shafali Verma 73 in decider |
Head-to-Head Stats
| Category | India Women | Sri Lanka Women |
|---|---|---|
| ODIs Played | 34 | 34 |
| ODIs Won | 29 | 4 |
| ODIs Lost | 4 | 29 |
| ODIs No Result | 1 | 1 |
| T20Is Played | 24 | 24 |
| T20Is Won | 21 | 3 |
| T20Is Lost | 3 | 21 |
| Highest ODI Score | 302/4 (2022) | 198/7 (2025) |
| Lowest ODI Score | 128 all out (2004) | 72 all out (2005) |
| Highest T20I Score | 178/4 (2026) | 138/9 (2023) |
| Largest ODI Win Margin | 148 runs (2004) | 7 wickets (2025) |
| Largest T20I Win Margin | 82 runs (2024) | 5 runs (2026) |
| Most ODI Runs (vs opposition) | Mithali Raj – 840+ runs | Chamari Athapaththu – 620+ runs |
| Most ODI Wickets (vs opposition) | Jhulan Goswami – 38 wickets | Shashikala Siriwardene – 24 wickets |
| Most T20I Runs (vs opposition) | Smriti Mandhana – 510+ runs | Chamari Athapaththu – 410+ runs |
| Most T20I Wickets (vs opposition) | Deepti Sharma – 28 wickets | Inoka Ranaweera – 19 wickets |
Top Records & Milestones
Individual Records
- Mithali Raj holds the record for most runs scored by any player in India vs Sri Lanka Women’s ODIs, accumulating over 840 runs across 20+ innings at an average above 55.
- Chamari Athapaththu is Sri Lanka’s all-time leading run-scorer against India, with her 94 in October 2025 being the highest individual score by a Sri Lankan woman in this fixture.
- Jhulan Goswami claimed 38 ODI wickets against Sri Lanka, the most by any bowler in this rivalry. Her pace and swing were virtually unplayable for Sri Lankan batters throughout the 2000s and 2010s.
- Deepti Sharma owns the record for most T20I wickets in this matchup with 28 scalps, combining off-spin with pinpoint accuracy.
- Smriti Mandhana has scored 5 ODI centuries against Sri Lanka, the most by any batter in this fixture.
Team Records
- India’s 82-run T20I victory in 2024 stands as the largest winning margin in T20I history between these two sides.
- Sri Lanka’s ODI win in October 2025 broke a drought of over 11 years without a win against India in the 50-over format.
- India’s streak of 15 consecutive ODI wins against Sri Lanka (2014–2025) is the longest winning sequence in this rivalry.
Interesting Facts & Trivia
- The two sides have never played a Test match against each other, as Sri Lanka has played very few women’s Tests historically.
- Chamari Athapaththu once carried her bat through an entire innings against India in a T20I (2019), scoring 66* while the rest of the team managed 71.
- The Wankhede Stadium hosted its first India Women vs Sri Lanka Women match during the 2026 T20 World Cup, drawing a crowd of over 32,000.
- Harmanpreet Kaur has captained India in more matches against Sri Lanka (18+) than any other Indian skipper.
- The 2025 Asia Cup match in India was the first India vs Sri Lanka women’s match to be broadcast in 4K HDR on Indian television.
FAQs
When did India Women and Sri Lanka Women first play each other? A: Their first official meeting came during the 2000 ICC Women’s World Cup in New Zealand. The first dedicated bilateral series took place in 2002 in Sri Lanka, which India won 3-0 in ODIs.
Who has scored the most runs in India Women vs Sri Lanka Women matches? A: Mithali Raj leads the run-scoring charts with over 840 ODI runs against Sri Lanka. In T20Is, Smriti Mandhana has the most runs with 510+ runs across encounters.
Has Sri Lanka Women ever beaten India Women in ODIs? A: Yes, but rarely. Sri Lanka have won 4 ODIs against India. Their most recent victory came in October 2025 in Colombo, ending a drought of more than 11 years.
What is India’s biggest win against Sri Lanka Women? A: In ODIs, India’s biggest win is by 148 runs (2004 Asia Cup). In T20Is, the largest margin is 82 runs, achieved during the 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in Bangladesh.
How many times have India and Sri Lanka met in ICC tournaments? A: The two sides have met in ICC Women’s World Cups, T20 World Cups, and World Cup qualifiers a combined 18+ times between 2000 and 2026, with India winning the vast majority.
Where can I watch India Women vs Sri Lanka Women matches in 2026? A: In India, matches are broadcast on Sports18 / JioCinema. In Sri Lanka, coverage is on Dialog TV / Supreme TV. The ICC also streams select matches on its official YouTube channel.
Conclusion
The India Women National Cricket Team vs Sri Lanka Women timeline is a rich tapestry of dominance, resilience, and evolution. From India’s early supremacy in the 2000s to Sri Lanka’s spirited challenges in 2025 and 2026, this rivalry mirrors the broader growth of women’s cricket in South Asia. Records set by legends like Mithali Raj, Jhulan Goswami, and Chamari Athapaththu will endure, while new stars like Shafali Verma and Richa Ghosh write the next chapters.
Looking ahead, the 2026–2027 FTP schedule promises even more bilateral encounters, and the next ICC cycle will add further tournament clashes. One thing is certain: the India Women National Cricket Team vs Sri Lanka Women timeline is far from finished — the best may still be ahead.
