1st ODI: Deepti Sharma's all-round heroics gives India lead against Sri Lanka

PALLEKELE: The all-round performance of Deepti Sharma and a valuable contribution with the bat by captain Harmanpreet Kaur (44 off 63 balls) helped India beat Sri Lanka by four wickets in the opening ODI of the three-match series here on Friday.

Deepti Sharma first produced a brilliant bowling display, taking three wickets by giving away only 25 runs in 8.2 overs before guiding India to a comprehensive victory with the bat (22 not out) in a low-scoring match.

Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bat in the first ODI in Pallekele. It was the beginning of a new era for India -- one without the great Mithali Raj in the team -- with Harmanpreet Kaur beginning her innings as India's full-time ODI captain.

In the company of Pooja Vastrakar (21 not out), Deepti (22 not out) guided the team home in 38 overs after being set an easy target of 172.

The three-match series is part of the ICC ODI Championship.

Brief scores: India Women 176 for 6 (Harmanpreet 44, Shafali 35, Deol 34, Ranaweera 4-39) beat Sri Lanka Women 171 (Nilakshi 43, Hasini 37, Deepti 3-25, Renuka 3-29) by four wickets. Agencies

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