In a significant boost for women’s cricket, Sri Lanka is set to host a One Day International (ODI) tri-nation series featuring India and South Africa from April 27 to May 11, 2025. The series, taking place at Colombo’s R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, serves as crucial preparation for the upcoming ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup later this year.
Series Schedule
The tri-series will follow a double round-robin format, with each team playing the others twice. The top two teams will advance to the final on May 11. The match schedule is as follows:
- April 27: Sri Lanka vs. India
- April 29: India vs. South Africa
- May 1: Sri Lanka vs. South Africa
- May 4: Sri Lanka vs. India
- May 6: South Africa vs. India
- May 8: Sri Lanka vs. South Africa
- May 11: Final
All matches are scheduled to start at 10:00 AM local time.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a 15-member squad led by captain Harmanpreet Kaur, with Smriti Mandhana as vice-captain. The team includes experienced players like Deepti Sharma and Jemimah Rodrigues, along with the return of senior batter Sree Charani. Young talents such as Kashvee Gautam and Shuchi Upadhyay are also part of the squad. Notably, Renuka Singh Thakur and Titas Sadhu were not considered due to injuries.
Cricket South Africa has organized a national training camp from April 6 to 14 at the CSA Centre of Excellence in Tshwane to prepare for the series. The 20-member squad features three uncapped players: wicketkeeper-batter Karabo Meso, all-rounder Miane Smit, and spinner Seshnie Naidu. Star all-rounder Marizanne Kapp has been rested to manage her workload ahead of the World Cup.
Sri Lanka Cricket has expressed enthusiasm about hosting the tri-series, emphasizing its importance in promoting women’s cricket in the region. The board has announced that matches will be open to the public, encouraging fans to support the teams and enjoy high-quality cricket action.
This tri-series serves as vital preparation for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025. For India, currently ranked second in the ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25, it’s an opportunity to fine-tune strategies and assess player form. South Africa aims to build momentum and test squad depth, especially in the absence of key players like Kapp. Hosts Sri Lanka will look to showcase their capabilities against top-tier teams and build confidence ahead of the global tournament.
Broadcast Information
Cricket enthusiasts can expect comprehensive coverage of the series. In India, matches are likely to be broadcast on Star Sports, with live streaming available on platforms like JioStar. Fans are advised to check local listings for exact broadcast details and timings.
As the cricketing world turns its attention to Colombo, the tri-nation series stands as a testament to the growing prominence of women’s cricket and the collaborative efforts of cricket boards to provide competitive platforms ahead of major tournaments.