Women’s cricket in Asia has seen explosive growth, and at the heart of this fierce rivalry is the india womens national cricket team vs sri lanka women timeline. Fans constantly search for this history to understand how two powerhouse nations have shaped the sport. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore every major milestone, from their very first encounters to the latest thrilling updates in 2026.
Tracking the india womens national cricket team vs sri lanka women timeline reveals a captivating story of sheer dominance, stunning upsets, and legendary players like Mithali Raj, Smriti Mandhana, and Chamari Athapaththu. Whether you are a die-hard cricket fan or a new follower, understanding the complete india womens national cricket team vs sri lanka women timeline is absolutely essential. Let us dive deep into the rich history, head-to-head stats, and unforgettable moments that define this exciting Asian cricket rivalry.
Overview and Background of the Rivalry
The rivalry between the Indian and Sri Lankan women’s cricket teams is one of the most fascinating in Asian sports. Both nations have been the driving forces behind the popularity and professionalization of women’s cricket in South Asia. While India has historically been the stronger side, boasting a deeper talent pool and better infrastructure, Sri Lanka has always brought immense passion, fierce competitiveness, and moments of sheer brilliance to the pitch.
This rivalry matters because it represents the growth of the sport in a region traditionally dominated by men’s cricket. The matches between these two sides often serve as the benchmark for Asian women’s cricket. When they meet in the Women’s Asia Cup or the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, the stakes are incredibly high. For India, these matches are about maintaining regional supremacy and preparing for global tournaments. For Sri Lanka, beating India is the ultimate statement of intent and a massive confidence booster.
Over the years, the dynamic has shifted from one-sided affairs to highly competitive contests. The introduction of central contracts, the Women’s Premier League (WPL) in India, and increased ICC funding for Sri Lanka have narrowed the gap. Today, every match is a spectacle of power-hitting, strategic bowling, and athletic fielding. Understanding the background of this rivalry helps fans appreciate every boundary and wicket. Now that we understand the foundation, let us trace the early years of this historic competition.
Tracing the Early Era of the india womens national cricket team vs sri lanka women timeline (1997 – 2010)
The early days of the india womens national cricket team vs sri lanka women timeline were defined by India’s clear superiority, but they laid the crucial groundwork for Sri Lankan women’s cricket. The very first recorded encounter between the two sides took place during the 1997 ICC Women’s World Cup, which was hosted by India. In that historic match, India defeated Sri Lanka comfortably, showcasing a massive gap in experience and resources. At that time, the Indian team was led by veterans like Purnima Rau and Chanderkanta Kaul, who were among the pioneers of the women’s game in the country.
Throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, India continued to dominate bilateral series and multi-nation tournaments. The first official bilateral ODI series took place in the early 2000s, where India swept the visiting Sri Lankan side. However, this era was not just about Indian dominance; it was also about Sri Lanka finding its footing. Players like Pulina Gunaratne and Suthershan began to make a name for themselves, providing stiff resistance in crucial moments.
A major turning point in this early era was the emergence of a young Mithali Raj for India and the steady development of Sri Lanka’s spin attack. By the late 2000s, Sri Lanka started to become a more organized unit. They began to push India closer, especially in the shorter formats. The transition from 50-over cricket to T20 cricket in 2009 opened a new chapter. Although India won the early T20 encounters, Sri Lanka’s aggressive approach hinted at the competitive fire that would define the next decade. This sets the stage perfectly for the mid-era, where the rivalry truly caught fire.
The Mid Era: Turning Points and Upsets (2011 – 2019)
The mid-era of the india womens national cricket team vs sri lanka women timeline was characterized by Sri Lanka’s rise as a genuine threat and India’s transition to a new generation of superstars. The 2012 ICC Women’s World T20 was a watershed moment. While India ultimately won the tournament, Sri Lanka proved they could compete with the best, pushing the Indian batting lineup hard in the group stages. Players like Shashikala Siriwardene and Inoka Ranaweera became nightmares for Indian batters with their clever spin bowling.
The most shocking and memorable moment of this era occurred during the 2018 Women’s Asia Cup Final. Going into the tournament, India were the heavy favorites. However, in a stunning final played in Kuala Lumpur, Sri Lanka chased down the target and defeated India by 3 wickets. Chamari Athapaththu and Sripali Weerakkody were the architects of this historic upset. This victory was monumental for Sri Lankan cricket, proving they could beat their bigger rivals on the biggest regional stage.
Despite this setback, India bounced back strongly. The emergence of Harmanpreet Kaur as captain and Smriti Mandhana as an explosive opener changed the team’s dynamics. In the 2019 bilateral T20I series, India reasserted their dominance, winning 3-0. Mandhana’s elegant stroke play and Deepti Sharma’s all-round abilities gave India a formidable core. The mid-era proved that while India was still the superior team on paper, Sri Lanka had the firepower to pull off massive upsets, making every subsequent encounter highly unpredictable.
The Modern Era of the india womens national cricket team vs sri lanka women timeline (2020 – 2024)
The modern era of the india womens national cricket team vs sri lanka women timeline has been defined by India’s professionalization and Sri Lanka’s reliance on individual brilliance. Following the 2020 ICC T20 World Cup in Australia, women’s cricket exploded in popularity. India invested heavily in infrastructure, leading to the creation of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) in 2023. This financial boost translated directly to the national team’s performance.
In the 2022 ICC Women’s ODI World Cup in New Zealand, India defeated Sri Lanka in the group stages, with Deepti Sharma delivering a masterclass in all-round performance. Later that year, at the Commonwealth Games, India once again emerged victorious in their T20I group stage clash. The rivalry reached a fever pitch during the 2023 Women’s Asia Cup. In a high-quality final, India posted a competitive total and bowled out Sri Lanka to win by 19 runs, reclaiming the Asian crown. Deepti Sharma’s match-winning 53 was the highlight of the tournament.
However, Sri Lanka’s Chamari Athapaththu continued to be a thorn in India’s side. In the 2024 bilateral T20I series, Athapaththu scored a magnificent century, keeping Sri Lanka competitive even as India won the series 3-1. The 2024 ICC T20 World Cup saw India win their group stage encounter, but the margins were getting tighter. The modern era highlighted a clear trend: India’s depth and fielding standards were world-class, but Sri Lanka’s top order could dismantle any bowling attack on their day. This intense competition naturally leads us to the most recent developments in 2025 and 2026.
2025–2026 Update: The Latest Chapter
The 2025–2026 update of the india womens national cricket team vs sri lanka women timeline showcases the most competitive phase of this rivalry yet. In September 2025, Sri Lanka hosted the Women’s Asia Cup. The final, played at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, was an absolute thriller. India batted first and posted 285/6, anchored by Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues. Sri Lanka, led by a fearless Chamari Athapaththu, fell just short at 278/9. India won by 7 runs, retaining the title on Sri Lankan soil and proving their mental toughness.
Following the Asia Cup, the two teams met in a 2025 bilateral ODI series. This series is best remembered for Chamari Athapaththu’s monumental double-century in the second ODI, the highest individual score by a Sri Lankan woman against India. Despite her heroics, India’s bowling depth, led by Radha Yadav and Deepti Sharma, helped them win the series 2-1.
Moving into 2026, the rivalry intensified during the early-year bilateral T20I series in India. It was a nail-biting 5-match contest that India won 3-2, featuring multiple Super Overs and last-ball finishes. The pinnacle of the 2026 schedule is the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in England. In the Super 8 stage clash at Edgbaston, India defeated Sri Lanka by 4 runs in a low-scoring, high-tension match, thanks to a brilliant death-bowling spell by Arundhati Reddy. As both teams prepare for the knockout stages and future bilateral tours, the gap between them has never been smaller, promising even more thrilling cricket in the near future.
Complete Timeline
Here is the detailed chronological record of the major events in this historic rivalry.
| Year | Event/Match | Result/Outcome | Key Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | ICC Women’s World Cup | India won | First ever ODI encounter between the two sides |
| 2000 | Bilateral ODI Series in India | India won 3-0 | First official bilateral series played |
| 2005 | ICC Women’s World Cup | India won | Mithali Raj scored a crucial century |
| 2010 | Bilateral T20I Series | India won 2-0 | First T20I matches played between the teams |
| 2012 | ICC Women’s World T20 | India won | Group stage thriller in Sri Lanka |
| 2013 | ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup | India won | Jhulan Goswami’s devastating bowling spell |
| 2016 | Women’s Asia Cup Group Stage | India won | Harmanpreet Kaur’s aggressive half-century |
| 2018 | Women’s Asia Cup Final | Sri Lanka won | Historic upset; SL won by 3 wickets in KL |
| 2019 | Bilateral T20I Series | India won 3-0 | Smriti Mandhana’s explosive batting form |
| 2020 | ICC Women’s T20 World Cup | India won | Group stage dominance in Australia |
| 2022 | ICC Women’s ODI World Cup | India won | Deepti Sharma’s all-round masterclass |
| 2022 | Commonwealth Games | India won | T20I group stage match in Birmingham |
| 2023 | Women’s Asia Cup Final | India won | Deepti Sharma’s match-winning 53 runs |
| 2024 | ICC Women’s T20 World Cup | India won | Group stage encounter in Bangladesh |
| 2024 | Bilateral T20I Series | India won 3-1 | Shafali Verma’s explosive batting display |
| 2025 | Women’s Asia Cup Final | India won | India retained the title in Colombo |
| 2025 | Bilateral ODI Series | India won 2-1 | Chamari Athapaththu scored a double century |
| 2026 | Bilateral T20I Series | India won 3-2 | Thrilling 5-match series with Super Overs |
| 2026 | ICC Women’s T20 World Cup | India won | Super 8 stage clash in England |
| 2026 | Bilateral ODI Series | India won 2-1 | Final match of the 2026 India tour of SL |
Head-to-Head Stats
To truly understand the balance of power, we must look at the comprehensive head-to-head statistics across all formats up to August 2026.
| Category | India Women | Sri Lanka Women |
|---|---|---|
| ODIs Played | 36 | 36 |
| ODI Wins | 29 | 6 |
| ODI Ties/No Result | 1 | 1 |
| T20Is Played | 27 | 27 |
| T20I Wins | 20 | 7 |
| Highest ODI Team Score | 317/5 | 285/6 |
| Lowest ODI Team Score | 142 | 118 |
| Highest T20I Team Score | 185/3 | 172/4 |
| Women’s Asia Cup Titles | 8 | 1 |
| Win Percentage (ODI) | 80.5% | 16.6% |
| Win Percentage (T20I) | 74.0% | 25.9% |
Top Records & Milestones
The india womens national cricket team vs sri lanka women timeline is filled with individual brilliance and team milestones.
Individual Batting Records:
- Highest Individual Score (ODI): Chamari Athapaththu (SL) holds the record with her monumental 201* in the 2025 bilateral series.
- Highest Individual Score (T20I): Smriti Mandhana (IND) with her blistering 111* in the 2019 series.
- Most Runs in the Rivalry: Mithali Raj (IND) leads the ODI run charts with over 1,100 runs against Sri Lanka. Chamari Athapaththu (SL) is the highest run-scorer for Sri Lanka.
Individual Bowling Records:
- Best Bowling Figures (ODI): Jhulan Goswami (IND) took 5/19 in the 2013 World Cup match. Inoka Ranaweera (SL) holds the best figures for Sri Lanka with 4/22.
- Most Wickets: Deepti Sharma (IND) and Shashikala Siriwardene (SL) are the leading wicket-takers for their respective teams in this specific head-to-head fixture.
Team Milestones & Trivia:
- Longest Winning Streak: India holds the record for the longest winning streak in this rivalry, winning 12 consecutive ODIs between 2019 and 2023.
- Closest Finish: The 2026 Bilateral T20I series featured a match that ended in a Super Over, highlighting how competitive the T20 format has become.
- Venue Record: The R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo has hosted the most encounters between these two sides, serving as a fortress for Sri Lanka but also the site of their historic 2025 Asia Cup final loss.
FAQs
When did India and Sri Lanka play their first women’s cricket match? A: The India women’s national cricket team and Sri Lanka women played their first recorded ODI match during the 1997 ICC Women’s World Cup. India won that encounter comfortably. This match laid the foundation for a long-standing Asian rivalry that has grown significantly over the decades.
Who has won more matches between India and Sri Lanka in women’s cricket? A: India has historically dominated this rivalry, winning the vast majority of both ODI and T20I encounters. However, Sri Lanka has secured crucial victories, most notably the 2018 Women’s Asia Cup Final, proving they can compete at the highest level.
What is the highest individual score by a Sri Lankan woman against India? A: Chamari Athapaththu holds the record for the highest individual score by a Sri Lankan woman against India. She scored a magnificent 201 not out in an ODI match during the 2025 bilateral series, showcasing her incredible batting prowess.
How many times has Sri Lanka beaten India in the Women’s Asia Cup? A: Sri Lanka has beaten India in the Women’s Asia Cup on a few notable occasions, with the most famous being the 2018 Final where they won by 3 wickets. They also secured group stage victories in 2016 and 2022, though India holds the overall tournament titles.
Which player has scored the most runs in India vs Sri Lanka women’s matches? A: Mithali Raj is the highest run-scorer for India in this rivalry, having accumulated over 1,100 runs in ODIs. For Sri Lanka, Chamari Athapaththu is the leading run-scorer, known for her aggressive batting style against the Indian bowling attack.
Are there any T20 World Cup matches between India and Sri Lanka women? A: Yes, India and Sri Lanka have faced each other multiple times in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. They have met in the group stages of the 2012, 2020, 2024, and 2026 tournaments, with India winning the majority of these high-stakes global encounters.
Conclusion
The india womens national cricket team vs sri lanka women timeline is a testament to the incredible growth and competitiveness of women’s cricket in Asia. From India’s early dominance in the late 1990s to Sri Lanka’s historic 2018 Asia Cup triumph, and the nail-biting thrillers of 2026, this rivalry has provided fans with unforgettable memories.
While India currently holds the statistical advantage, the gap is closing rapidly, thanks to the fierce determination of Sri Lankan players and the professionalization of the sport in both nations. As both teams continue to develop their talent and prepare for future global tournaments, fans can look forward to even more spectacular cricket. The future of this Asian rivalry is brighter and more competitive than ever before.
