India Women Secure Series Win with Convincing Performance Against Sri Lanka
India Clinches Series with Strong Victory
In a remarkable display, India Women successfully defended a formidable target of 222 runs, achieving a 30-run victory over Sri Lanka in the fourth T20I of the five-match series held in Thiruvananthapuram. This win solidifies India's unassailable lead of 4-0 with one match remaining.
Sri Lanka's Determined Chase Falls Short
Sri Lanka began their chase with a positive mindset, led by captain Chamari Athapaththu, who scored a commendable half-century of 52 runs off 37 balls, featuring three sixes and three fours. Opening partner Hasini Perera contributed aggressively with 33 runs from just 20 balls, hitting seven boundaries.
Key Bowling Moments for India
The Sri Lankan openers set a solid foundation, accumulating 59 runs before India struck their first blow in the 6th over, with Arundhati Reddy dismissing Perera. Athapaththu then formed a vital 57-run partnership with Imesha Dulani, keeping Sri Lanka competitive at 116/2.
The match shifted in the 13th over when young spinner Vaishnavi Sharma took out Athapaththu, disrupting Sri Lanka's momentum. Dulani was later run out for 29, and Harshitha Samarawickrama, who scored 20, also fell to Sharma, marking her second wicket. Despite reaching 150 runs in 16.5 overs, Sri Lanka struggled to keep up with the required run rate.
Reddy claimed her second wicket by dismissing Kavisha Dilhari for 13, while Rashmika Sewwandi managed only 5 runs before being dismissed. Nilakshika Silva provided some late resistance with an unbeaten 23 off 11 balls, but it wasn't enough to close the gap.
India's Bowlers Shine
Vaishnavi Sharma was the standout bowler for India, finishing with impressive figures of 2/24 in her four overs. Arundhati Reddy also took two wickets but conceded 42 runs, while Shree Charani ended with figures of 1/46.
Record-Breaking Batting Performance
Earlier in the match, India Women showcased their batting prowess, posting their highest-ever team total in T20I cricket. After being invited to bat first, Smriti Mandhana set the tone by hitting a boundary on the very first ball.
India raced to 16 runs without loss after two overs, and in the third over, both Shafali Verma and Mandhana struck boundaries against off-spinner Kavisha Dilhari, pushing the score to 26/0. By the end of the powerplay, India had amassed 61 runs without losing a wicket.
Milestones Achieved by Indian Batters
In the seventh over, Mandhana reached a significant milestone, becoming the fourth woman to score 10,000 runs in women's international cricket, joining the ranks of Mithali Raj, Suzie Bates, and Charlotte Edwards. After 10 overs, India stood at 85/0, with both batters providing a solid start.
Shafali Verma reached her half-century in just 30 balls during the 11th over, marking her third consecutive fifty in the series. India crossed the 100-run mark in the same over, while Mandhana achieved her fifty in 35 balls during the 12th over, boasting 32 fifty-plus scores in WT20Is, the highest among all batters.
Late Flourish Propels India to 221
Sri Lanka finally broke the opening partnership when Nimasha Madushani dismissed Shafali for 79 runs off 46 balls, including 12 fours and one six, in the 16th over. Mandhana followed shortly after, falling to Malsha Shehani for 80 runs off 48 balls, supported by 11 fours and three sixes.
In the closing stages, Richa Ghosh contributed an explosive 40 runs off 16 balls, while captain Harmanpreet Kaur added 16 runs off 10 balls, leading India to a total of 221/2 in their 20 overs.
Match Summary
India Women 221/2 in 20 overs (Smriti Mandhana 80, Shafali Verma 79; Malsha Shehani 1/32) vs Sri Lanka Women 191/6 in 20 overs (Chamari Athapaththu 52, Hasini Perera 33; Vaishnavi Sharma 2/24).