India beats Sri Lanka in Women's Cricket World Cup opener after rain delays

India has recovered from a nervous start to open the Women's World Cup with a victory, comfortably defeating co-hosts Sri Lanka by 59 runs.

Encouragingly for the home side, the platform was laid not by their stars but by the supporting cast, showcasing the depth they will need if they are to beat holders and favourites Australia.

They did reveal weaknesses with bat and ball that stronger opponents will seek to punish, but some of that may be down to first-night nerves and gaining a victory will ease those and instil confidence.

Harleen Deol (48) and Pratika Rawal (37) had overcome the early loss of Smriti Mandhana (8) to lift India to 1-81 before the latter was the first of four wickets for Inoka Ranaweera (4-46).

The spinner then dismissed Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues (0) and superstar captain Harmanpreet Kaur (21) in the same over.

With Chamari Athapaththu taking the wicket of Richa Ghosh (2) in the next over, India was suddenly 6-124 after an almighty collapse of 4-4 in 12 balls.

The 22,843 crowd at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati, a group stage record, feared a shock defeat.

But all-rounders Deepti Sharma (53) and Amanjot Kaur (57) added 103 for the seventh wicket in 16.3 overs, and a late flurry from Sneh Rana (28 off 15) lifted India to 8-269.

That was well beyond Sri Lanka's reach even before their target was raised to 271 via the Duckworth-Lewis method as two rain delays had forced a reduction to 47 overs each.

Sri Lanka was not helped by dropping Amanjot on 18, 37 and 50 before she was finally out to a superb diving catch by Vishmi Gunaratne in the deep.

There were more fireworks between innings, with the opening ceremony held during the match.

When the smoke cleared, Athapaththu emerged to make a decent start with Hasini Perera (14) then Harshitha Samarawickrama (29), but when the skipper was dismissed for 43 off 47 with three sixes, Sri Lanka's hopes melted away.

Nilakshi de Silva made 35 off 29 but the rate kept climbing with Sharma (3-54 off 10 overs) and Rana (2-32 off 10) the pick of the bowlers as Sri Lanka was dismissed for 211.

"My partnership [with Amanjot] was the turning point after we had lost back-to-back wickets," Sharma said.

"We wanted to take the game deep and I am used to such situations. So there was no pressure. First match sets the tone and we want to keep winning."

Australia launches its campaign on Wednesday against New Zealand at Indore.

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