Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium is set to ignite on April 27 as Sri Lanka Women face India Women in the opening ODI of the 2025 Women’s Tri-Nation Series. With the Women’s ODI World Cup looming later this year, both teams are sharpening their blades in this crucial dress rehearsal. For fantasy cricket fans, this match is a goldmine of Dream11 opportunities, with official squad announcements and recent performances pointing to clear standout picks.
India, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, rolls into Colombo with a squad blending seasoned stars and fresh faces. Smriti Mandhana, the left-handed opener, is a no-brainer for Dream11 teams. Her ability to anchor innings or explode early makes her a points magnet, especially on a Premadasa pitch known for favoring batters early on. Deepti Sharma, the all-rounder, is another lock-in, with her off-spin likely to exploit the spin-friendly conditions that develop as the game wears on. She’s been a consistent wicket-taker, and her middle-order batting adds extra fantasy value. Arundhati Reddy, coming off a strong domestic season, is a bowler to watch. Her knack for breaking partnerships could rack up wickets if Sri Lanka’s middle order falters.
Sri Lanka, under Chamari Athapaththu’s captaincy, is banking on home advantage after a rough 2-0 ODI series loss to New Zealand. Athapaththu, a top-order batter and occasional off-spinner, is the heartbeat of the side. Her aggressive strokeplay and leadership make her a prime Dream11 captaincy pick, especially given her history of performing against India. Inoka Ranaweera, the left-arm spinner, is another must-have. Her ability to tie down batters on turning tracks could be a game-changer. Harshitha Samarawickrama, a reliable middle-order bat, offers stability and could pile up runs if Sri Lanka’s top order sets a platform.
The Premadasa pitch is a balanced beast. Early overs favor batters, with the ball coming onto the bat nicely, but spinners often dominate as the surface slows. Captains might lean toward batting first to post a big total, as chasing can get tricky under lights. Weather reports from April 26 predict clear skies, with temperatures around 27°C and high humidity, potentially aiding swing bowlers early.
India’s squad, announced on April 16, misses key players like Renuka Singh Thakur and Pooja Vastrakar due to injuries, but depth remains with Richa Ghosh behind the stumps and Sneh Rana bolstering the spin attack. Sri Lanka’s lineup, confirmed on April 23, includes Anushka Sanjeewani as wicketkeeper and Kavisha Dilhari for all-round grit. Both teams are fielding near-full-strength XIs, with no reported injuries.
For Dream11, prioritize all-rounders like Deepti and Athapaththu for their dual contributions. Mandhana and Samarawickrama are safe batting picks, while Ranaweera and Reddy are bowling bets likely to capitalize on the pitch’s spin-friendly nature. The match, kicking off at 2:30 PM IST, will be broadcast on Star Sports and streamed on Disney+ Hotstar, per official schedules released on April 24.
India has won four of the last five ODIs against Sri Lanka, but the hosts pulled off a stunning upset in the 2024 Women’s Asia Cup final. Sri Lanka’s squad: Chamari Athapaththu (c), Vishmi Gunaratne, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Manudi Nanayakkara, Nilakshi de Silva, Anushka Sanjeewani (wk), Sugandika Kumari, Malki Madara, Kavisha Dilhari, Inoshi Priyadharshani, Achini Kulasuriya. India’s squad: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana, Yastika Bhatia, Richa Ghosh (wk), Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Kashvee Gautam, Amanjot Kaur, Arundhati Reddy, N Charani.