Sri Lanka Opt to Bat First in Virtual Knockout Against Bangladesh

In a crucial Women's ODI World Cup 2025 clash at Navi Mumbai, Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat first against Bangladesh in what effectively serves as a virtual knockout match. With both teams sitting on just two points after five games, the stakes couldn’t be higher — the winner keeps their slim hopes of a semi-final berth alive, while the loser will be all but eliminated.

Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu chose to bat first, citing favorable batting conditions. “The surface looks good for batting, and we want to make the most of it early on,” Athapaththu said at the toss. On the other hand, Bangladesh skipper Nigar Sultana viewed the opportunity to bowl first as a chance for her bowling attack to make an early impact.

Team News:
Both sides made changes ahead of the high-pressure game. For Sri Lanka, experienced left-arm seamer Udeshika Prabodhani returned to the XI, replacing Piumi Wathsala. Bangladesh, meanwhile, made two changes, bringing in young pacer Marufa Akter and left-arm spinner Nahida Akter in place of Fariha Trisna and Fahima Khatun.

Weather & Pitch Report:
Despite concerns of rain following the Colombo leg of the tournament, the skies remained clear in Navi Mumbai. However, the playing conditions were far from comfortable, with temperatures soaring into the high 30s Celsius. The pitch featured a tinge of green, but with the red soil underneath offering low moisture retention, it’s expected to dry out and favor batting as the match progresses.

Playing XIs:
Sri Lanka: Vishmi Gunaratne, Chamari Athapaththu (capt), Hasini Perera, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Kavisha Dilhari, Nilakshika Silva, Anushka Sanjeewani (wk), Sugandika Kumari, Malki Madara, Inoka Ranaweera, Udeshika Prabodhani.

Bangladesh: Rubya Haider, Fargana Hoque, Sharmin Akhter, Nigar Sultana (capt, wk), Sobhana Mostary, Shorna Akter, Nahida Akter, Rabeya Khan, Ritu Moni, Nishita Akter Nishi, Marufa Akter.

With both teams fighting for survival, fans can expect a fiercely contested encounter as the Women's World Cup group stage approaches its final stretch.