Bangalore: A confident Indian women's cricket team left for Colombo to take part in the triangular series also involving Sri Lanka and Pakistan that commences from April 17.

The Indian team, who concluded an eight-day preparatory camp in Bangalore flew out on Wednesday night, and with good players like Mithali Raj and Jaya Sharma and spinner Neetu David in their ranks, are touted as favourites.

This is the first time this tournament is taking place in the subcontinent and it would now be an yearly affair, Women's Cricket Association of India's (WCAI) honorary secretary Shubhangi Kulkarni said.

The Indian team had won against world champions New Zealand in November last and against the West Indies in March this year.

Interestingly, Pakistan and India are playing against each other for the first time, it was noted. All eyes would be set on Pakistan's Kiran Baluch who had broken Mithali Raj's world record by scoring 242 in a recent Test innings.

India is taking on Sri Lanka in the first match on April 17, and the final slated for April 29.

The team: (from): Mamatha Maben (Captain), Mithali Raj (Vice-Captain), Anju Jain, Anjum Chopra, Hemalata Kala, Jaya Sharma, Neetu David, Deepa Kulkarni, Noosheen-Al-Khadeer, Arundatti Kirkire, Amita Sharma, Jhulan Goswami, Diana David, Karuna Jain and Sunetra Paranjpe.