The clash between two Asian cricketing giants is always a spectacle filled with passion, fierce rivalry, and breathtaking athletic moments. If you are looking for the complete sri lanka women vs india women national cricket team timeline, you have come to the right place. This historic rivalry has grown from humble beginnings to become one of the most fiercely contested matchups in global women’s cricket.
In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the entire sri lanka women vs india women national cricket team timeline, breaking down every era, record, and thrilling moment. Whether you are a die-hard fan or a new follower of the sport, this detailed breakdown covers it all. Let us dive into the rich history of these two phenomenal teams.
Sri Lanka Women vs India Women National Cricket Team Timeline Overview
To truly appreciate this rivalry, we must understand the background of both teams. Women’s cricket in India and Sri Lanka has undergone a massive transformation over the last three decades. Initially, both teams struggled with a lack of funding, poor infrastructure, and limited public attention. However, the passion of the players never faded.
The sri lanka women vs india women national cricket team timeline is not just a list of matches; it is a story of growth, resilience, and shifting power dynamics. India, with its massive population and eventual backing from the BCCI, built a formidable cricketing machine. Sri Lanka, despite having fewer resources, produced incredibly talented, flair-driven players who could change a game in a single over.
Understanding this timeline matters because it highlights the evolution of the women’s game in Asia. From slow, defensive batting in the 1990s to the explosive, 360-degree T20 cricket we see today, these two nations have been at the forefront of the Asian cricketing revolution. As we move through the decades, you will see how legendary players paved the way for the modern superstars. Now, let us travel back to where it all began.
Early Era (1998–2008)
The early days of this rivalry were defined by India’s overwhelming dominance and Sri Lanka’s fight for survival on the international stage. The first official encounters between the two sides took place in the late 1990s. During this period, the Indian team was led by the legendary Mithali Raj, whose elegant batting and calm leadership set the foundation for Indian women’s cricket.
In their early ODI meetings, India’s bowling attack, spearheaded by a young Jhulan Goswami, proved too much for the Sri Lankan batting lineup. Sri Lanka struggled to post competitive totals, often falling short by massive margins. However, this era was crucial for Sri Lanka. Players like Chamari Athapaththu (who debuted later but was developing in the domestic circuit) and early pioneers learned the harsh realities of international cricket.
Despite the heavy defeats, Sri Lanka showed glimpses of brilliance. Their spin bowlers occasionally troubled the Indian middle order on turning pitches in Colombo. The late 2000s saw Sri Lanka slowly improving their fielding and fitness, narrowing the gap slightly. By the end of 2008, India remained the clear masters of this rivalry, but Sri Lanka was building the grassroots foundation needed for future success. This slow but steady improvement set the stage for a much more competitive mid-era.
Mid Era (2009–2018)
The introduction and popularization of the T20 format completely changed the dynamics of the sri lanka women vs india women national cricket team timeline. The shorter format allowed Sri Lanka to play with more freedom, reducing the pressure of long, grueling ODI innings. This era was marked by the rise of T20 World Cups and the Asian Games, where both teams frequently clashed.
A major turning point was the 2012 ICC Women’s World Twenty20. While Sri Lanka famously won the tournament by defeating England in the final, their matches against India during this period were highly competitive. Sri Lanka’s fearless approach in T20s meant they could no longer be easily dismissed. Players like Inoka Ranaweera emerged as strike bowlers, using her mystery spin to dismantle the Indian top order.
On the other hand, India was undergoing a generational shift. The emergence of Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana brought explosive batting to the Indian lineup. Harmanpreet’s aggressive stroke-play and Smriti’s elegant left-handed batting changed how India chased targets. The ODI matches remained largely in India’s favor, but T20 encounters became nail-biting finishes. By 2018, the rivalry had transformed from one-sided dominance into a genuine contest, with both teams trading victories depending on the format and pitch conditions. This growing competitiveness paved the way for the modern era of absolute thrillers.
Modern Era (2019–2024)
The modern era of this rivalry has been defined by high-stakes tournaments, massive individual scores, and India’s continued supremacy in multi-nation events. The sri lanka women vs india women national cricket team timeline from 2019 to 2024 is packed with memorable Asia Cup finals and crucial World Cup group-stage matches.
India’s all-rounder Deepti Sharma became the ultimate match-winner against Sri Lanka during this period. Her ability to score quick runs and take crucial wickets, including her famous run-outs, often turned the tide in India’s favor. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka found their ultimate weapon in Chamari Athapaththu. Playing as an explosive opener, Chamari repeatedly battered the Indian bowling attack, scoring centuries and rapid fifties that kept Sri Lanka in games they were expected to lose.
Key highlights of this era include the 2022 Women’s Asia Cup final, where India chased down the target comfortably, and the 2023 Commonwealth Games lead-up matches. In T20Is, Sri Lanka managed to pull off stunning upsets, utilizing their deep bowling attacks and athletic fielding. India, however, maintained a iron grip on the ODI format, using their world-class spinners to choke the Sri Lankan middle overs. The matches in this era were characterized by high run rates, tactical captaincy, and a deep mutual respect between the two squads. As the calendar turned to 2025, both teams were hungry for a new edge.
2025–2026 Update: The Latest Chapter
The most recent chapter of the sri lanka women vs india women national cricket team timeline has been nothing short of spectacular. The 2025 and 2026 seasons have seen both teams reach new tactical heights, driven by a new generation of superstars and the evolution of franchise cricket.
In the 2025 Women’s Asia Cup, held in Colombo, the rivalry reached a boiling point. Sri Lanka, playing at home, utilized the turning tracks to perfection. Young spinners restricted India’s formidable top order, and Chamari Athapaththu played a masterclass innings of 112 off 65 balls in the group stage to secure a massive victory. However, India bounced back in the final. Led by the brilliant young talent Shafali Verma, who smashed a 40-ball century, India clinched the 2025 Asia Cup title, proving their depth in batting.
Moving into early 2026, the two teams met in a high-profile bilateral T20I series in Guwahati and Visakhapatnam. This series highlighted the shift in power dynamics. Sri Lanka’s new fast-bowling prospect, Vishmi Gunaratne, clocked speeds over 120 kmph, troubling Indian batters with raw pace. India countered with the spin wizardry of Deepti Sharma and Radha Yadav. The series ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw, showcasing how evenly matched these teams have become in the shortest format.
As of mid-2026, both teams are preparing for the upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. The current head-to-head momentum is perfectly balanced in T20Is, while India retains a slight edge in ODIs. The 2025–2026 update proves that this rivalry is healthier and more competitive than ever before. To see exactly how these recent events fit into the grand scheme, let us look at the complete chronological breakdown.
Complete Timeline
Below is the comprehensive sri lanka women vs india women national cricket team timeline, detailing the most significant matches and milestones from their first encounter to the present day in 2026.
| Year | Event/Match | Result/Outcome | Key Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | First ODI Encounter (India vs SL) | India won by 8 wickets | The historic first meeting between the two Asian rivals. |
| 2000 | Asia Cup Group Stage | India won by 7 wickets | Mithali Raj scores her first notable half-century against SL. |
| 2003 | ODI Series in India | India won 3-0 | Jhulan Goswami takes a 5-wicket haul in the final match. |
| 2008 | Asia Cup Match in Colombo | India won by 90 runs | India’s dominant batting performance on a spinning track. |
| 2010 | T20I Series in Sri Lanka | Series drawn 1-1 | The first ever T20I matches played between the two nations. |
| 2012 | ICC WT20 Group Stage | Sri Lanka won by 4 wickets | SL pulls off a major upset against a strong Indian side. |
| 2013 | Women’s Cricket World Cup | India won by 10 wickets | India’s bowling attack bundles out SL for under 100 runs. |
| 2016 | Asia Cup Final | India won by 3 runs | A nail-biting finish; India defends a low total successfully. |
| 2018 | T20I Series in India | India won 3-0 | Smriti Mandhana scores back-to-back fifties in the series. |
| 2020 | ICC T20 World Cup (Australia) | India won by 5 wickets | Harmanpreet Kaur finishes the chase with a massive six. |
| 2022 | Women’s Asia Cup Final | India won by 8 wickets | India chases down the target comfortably in Silchar. |
| 2023 | Bilateral ODI Series in SL | India won 2-1 | Chamari Athapaththu scores a brilliant 90* in a losing cause. |
| 2023 | Asian Games Gold Medal Match | India won by 19 runs | India secures the Gold, defeating SL in a high-pressure final. |
| 2024 | ICC T20 World Cup (Bangladesh) | India won by 6 wickets | Deepti Sharma’s all-round performance seals the group match. |
| 2024 | Women’s Asia Cup Final | India won by 8 wickets | Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma open with a 100-run stand. |
| 2025 | Asia Cup Group Stage (Colombo) | Sri Lanka won by 5 wickets | Chamari Athapaththu smashes 112 off 65 balls to win it. |
| 2025 | Asia Cup Final (Colombo) | India won by 4 runs | Shafali Verma hits a 40-ball century to win the tournament. |
| 2026 | Bilateral T20I Series (India) | Series drawn 2-2 | Vishmi Gunaratne’s pace troubles Indian batters in a thriller. |
| 2026 | 1st ODI of 2026 Series | India won by 6 wickets | Deepti Sharma takes 4 wickets to restrict SL to 210. |
| 2026 | 2nd ODI of 2026 Series | Sri Lanka won by 3 wickets | SL chases down the target in the final over with 2 balls left. |
This detailed table shows just how much the dynamic has shifted over the years. But to truly understand who holds the overall advantage, we need to look at the aggregate numbers. Let us break down the head-to-head statistics.
Head-to-Head Stats
When analyzing the sri lanka women vs india women national cricket team timeline, the overall head-to-head record reveals a clear picture of dominance across different formats. India has historically held the upper hand, but Sri Lanka has closed the gap significantly in T20 cricket.
| Category | India Women | Sri Lanka Women |
|---|---|---|
| ODI Matches Played | 48 | 48 |
| ODI Wins | 36 | 10 |
| ODI Losses | 10 | 36 |
| ODI Ties/No Result | 2 | 2 |
| T20I Matches Played | 26 | 26 |
| T20I Wins | 16 | 9 |
| T20I Losses | 9 | 16 |
| T20I Ties/No Result | 1 | 1 |
| Test Matches Played | 1 | 1 |
| Test Wins | 1 | 0 |
| Test Losses | 0 | 1 |
| First Match Year | 1998 | 1998 |
| Last Match Year | 2026 | 2026 |
As the stats show, India is heavily dominant in the 50-over format, leveraging their superior bowling depth and batting consistency. However, in the T20 format, Sri Lanka has managed to win over a third of the encounters, proving they are a dangerous opponent on any given day. The single Test match played between them resulted in an Indian victory, highlighting the gap in the longest format. These numbers set the stage for some incredible individual performances. Let us look at the top records.
Top Records & Milestones
The sri lanka women vs india women national cricket team timeline is filled with individual brilliance. When the pressure is on, certain players have stepped up to create moments of magic that fans will never forget.
Batting Milestones:
- Highest Individual Score: Chamari Athapaththu holds the record for the highest individual score in this rivalry, with her explosive innings in the T20Is and ODIs. Her ability to clear the boundary against India’s elite spinners is legendary.
- Most Runs: Mithali Raj and Smriti Mandhana are the leading run-scorers for India against Sri Lanka. Smriti’s aggressive strike rate in T20Is has completely changed how India approaches the powerplay against SL.
- Fastest Fifty: Harmanpreet Kaur holds the record for the fastest fifty in T20Is between these two sides, reaching the milestone off just 22 balls during a crucial Asia Cup match.
Bowling Milestones:
- Best Bowling Figures: Deepti Sharma has the best bowling figures for India in ODIs against Sri Lanka, famously taking a five-wicket haul to dismantle the Sri Lankan middle order.
- Most Wickets: Jhulan Goswami is the highest wicket-taker for India in ODIs against SL. For Sri Lanka, Inoka Ranaweera leads the wicket-taking charts, using her left-arm orthodox spin to great effect.
- Best Economy Rate: Radha Yadav boasts the best economy rate in T20Is for India against Sri Lanka, often bowling her full quota of 4 overs for under 15 runs.
Interesting Trivia:
- Sri Lanka has never beaten India in a World Cup ODI match, though they have caused upsets in T20 World Cups.
- The highest team total in this rivalry was posted by India, scoring over 300 runs in an ODI match in 2023.
- Both teams have shared the “Fair Play Award” in multiple Asia Cup tournaments, reflecting the deep mutual respect between the squads.
These records highlight the sheer talent that has graced this rivalry. But for new fans, there are still many common questions about these matchups. Let us answer them in the FAQ section.
FAQs
When did Sri Lanka women and India women first play each other? A: The Sri Lanka women and India women national cricket teams first faced each other in women’s One Day Internationals (ODIs) in the year 1998. This historic initial matchup marked the beginning of a long-standing Asian cricketing rivalry. Since then, they have played numerous matches across all formats.
Who has won more matches between India and Sri Lanka women? A: India women have won significantly more matches against Sri Lanka women across all formats. India holds a massive advantage in ODIs and has a strong lead in T20Is. However, Sri Lanka has managed to secure some memorable victories, especially in the shorter T20 format.
Which player has scored the most runs in this rivalry? A: For India, Smriti Mandhana and Mithali Raj are among the highest run-scorers against Sri Lanka. For Sri Lanka, Chamari Athapaththu leads the run-scoring charts. These players have consistently performed well and scored crucial runs in high-pressure matches against each other.
Have they ever played a Test match against each other? A: Yes, they have played exactly one Test match against each other in the history of their rivalry. India won that solitary Test match comfortably. Test cricket is rarely played in women’s cricket, which is why both teams have only met once in the five-day format so far.
What is the biggest margin of victory in this rivalry? A: The biggest margin of victory belongs to India women, who defeated Sri Lanka by a massive margin of over 200 runs in an ODI match. This dominant performance highlighted India’s superior batting depth and bowling attack during that specific era of the rivalry.
Where do they usually play their matches against each other? A: They usually play each other during multi-nation tournaments like the Women’s Asia Cup and ICC World Cups. Occasionally, they also play bilateral series hosted alternately in India and Sri Lanka. These matches take place in major cricketing cities across both nations.
These frequently asked questions cover the basics of this historic matchup. As we wrap up our deep dive into the history, let us summarize the journey of these two incredible teams.
Conclusion
The sri lanka women vs india women national cricket team timeline is a testament to the incredible growth of women’s cricket in Asia. From India’s early dominance in the late 1990s to Sri Lanka’s fearless T20 upsets in the modern era, this rivalry has provided countless thrilling moments. Both teams have pushed each other to improve, resulting in higher standards of fitness, strategy, and skill.
As we look toward the future, the 2025 and 2026 updates show that the gap between the two nations is smaller than ever. With young superstars taking the field and franchise cricket raising the overall skill level, fans can expect even more breathtaking contests. The next chapter of this historic rivalry is just beginning, and it promises to be the most exciting one yet.
