Pallekele

The Indian women’s cricket team registered a comprehensive four-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the first One Day International on Friday.

For India captain Harmanpreet Kaur and Shafali Verma played knocks of 44 and 35 respectively as the visitors chased the target of 172 with 12 overs to go.

Fiery knocks by Hasini Perera (37) and Nilakshi de Silva (46) went in vain as brilliant bowling by Renuka Singh and Deepti Sharma bundled out Sri Lanka to a modest total of 171.

Renuka Singh and Deepti Sharma bagged three wickets respectively for India, while Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Harmanpreet Kaur, and Pooja Vastrakar scalped one wicket each.

Chasing a total of 172, India had a decent start as their score read 37/2 after the first 10 overs in the match.

Smriti Mandhana and Yastika Bhatia fell early, but Shafali Verma kept things ticking over alongside Harmanpreet Kaur.

The Indian captain and Harleen Deol put on a crucial 62-run partnership after the fall of Shafali, racking up the runs fast to help India take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

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