Nilakshi de Silva Shines in Sri Lanka's ODI World Cup Match Against New Zealand

Sri Lanka's Strong Performance in Women's ODI World Cup 2025

In a thrilling encounter at the R Premadasa Cricket Stadium in Colombo on October 14, Sri Lanka's middle-order batter, Nilakshi de Silva, delivered an outstanding performance during the Women's ODI World Cup 2025 match against New Zealand. Under the captaincy of Chamari Athapaththu, Sri Lanka chose to bat first and managed to score 258 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in their allotted 50 overs.

Nilakshi contributed significantly with an unbeaten 57 runs, while Athapaththu added 53 runs. Other notable contributions came from Vishmi Gunaratne (42), Hasini Perera (44), and Harshitha Samarawickrama (26), which collectively set a formidable target for New Zealand.

Bowling Highlights from New Zealand

New Zealand's bowling attack was spearheaded by skipper Sophie Devine, who took 3 wickets for 54 runs in 9 overs, maintaining an economy rate of 6. Bree Illing also made an impact with 2 wickets for 39 runs. However, the New Zealand bowlers struggled to consistently penetrate Sri Lanka's batting lineup, allowing the hosts to establish a competitive score.

Nilakshi de Silva's Record-Breaking Fifty

Nilakshi de Silva emerged as the standout player for Sri Lanka, playing a pivotal role in stabilizing the innings. Coming in at a crucial moment with the score at 188/4, she quickly formed a partnership with Hasini Perera. After Perera's dismissal, Nilakshi took charge, reaching her fifty in just 26 balls, marking the fastest fifty by a Sri Lankan in Women's ODIs, surpassing her previous record of 28 balls.

She partnered with Piumi Wathsala Badalge, contributing to a vital 45-run partnership for the sixth wicket before Badalge was dismissed. Nilakshi's innings concluded with a remarkable 55 runs off 28 balls, helping Sri Lanka to a total of 258/6.

Fans Celebrate Nilakshi's Performance

Nilakshi de Silva's explosive innings drew widespread acclaim from fans and cricket enthusiasts alike. Social media platforms were abuzz with praise for her aggressive batting style and composure under pressure. Many fans expressed their admiration for her ability to turn the game in Sri Lanka's favor, setting a challenging target for New Zealand.

Comments flooded in, highlighting her remarkable performance and the excitement she brought to the match, with many noting that her innings was a game-changer.

Nilakshi's Journey and Sri Lanka's World Cup Aspirations

Having made her ODI debut against New Zealand in 2015, Nilakshi de Silva has become a key player for Sri Lanka, amassing 1054 runs in her ODI career, including four fifties, at an average of 29.28 over 51 matches. As Sri Lanka seeks their first victory in the ongoing Women's World Cup 2025, following losses to India and England, they are determined to make a mark in their upcoming matches.