Shafali Verma's Explosive Performance Leads India to Victory Over Sri Lanka

In an electrifying match, Shafali Verma's unbeaten 69 propelled India to a swift victory over Sri Lanka in the second T20I, securing a 2-0 lead in the series. With a strong bowling performance limiting Sri Lanka to 128 runs, India's chase was marked by aggressive batting and strategic partnerships. Verma's explosive innings, supported by Jemimah Rodrigues, showcased India's dominance in the match. Read on for a detailed breakdown of the game.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 23, 2025, 22:33 IST

Shafali Verma's Blitzkrieg Seals Victory

In a stunning display, Shafali Verma delivered an unbeaten 69 runs off just 34 balls, guiding India to a swift victory over Sri Lanka in the second T20I held in Visakhapatnam on Tuesday. India successfully chased down a target of 129 runs in only 11.5 overs, winning by seven wickets and taking a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.

Smriti Mandhana contributed briefly at the top of the order, scoring 14 runs from 11 balls before being dismissed, leaving India at 29 for the first wicket.

After Mandhana's exit, Jemimah Rodrigues joined Verma, and the pair quickly accelerated the scoring, propelling India to 68 runs during the powerplay. Their aggressive batting kept the run rate comfortably above the required pace.

Verma and Rodrigues formed a solid partnership, adding 58 runs for the second wicket until Rodrigues was dismissed for 26 runs off 15 balls, which included four boundaries and a six. Verma maintained her attacking style, and India captain Harmanpreet Kaur came in next but was out for a duck, bowled by Malki Madara, just one run shy of victory.

For Sri Lanka, Kavisha Dilhari, Kawya Kavindi, and Malki Madara each took a wicket, with Dilhari achieving figures of 1/15 in two overs.

India Restricts Sri Lanka to 128

Earlier in the match, India's bowlers, particularly Vaishnavi Sharma and Shree Charani, excelled in limiting Sri Lanka to 128 runs for 9 wickets in their 20 overs. India won the toss and opted to bowl first.

Early Wickets After Attacking Start

Pacer Kranti Gaud made an immediate impact by dismissing Sri Lanka's opener Vishmi Gunaratne for just one run off three balls, caught and bowled. Sri Lanka found themselves at 2 for 1 after the first over. Following this, Hasini Perera and captain Chamari Athapaththu attempted to counterattack, with Chamari hitting a four and a six off Gaud, accumulating 13 runs in the third over. However, a slower delivery from spinner Sneh Rana led to Chamari's dismissal for 31 runs off 24 balls, including three fours and two sixes, leaving Sri Lanka at 38 for 2.

Sri Lanka concluded their powerplay at 39 for 2, with Harshitha Samarawickrama and Hasini Perera both unbeaten.

Middle Overs Partnership

In the eighth over, Harshitha Madavi struck three consecutive fours against Vaishnavi Sharma, helping Sri Lanka reach 50 runs in 7.4 overs. The partnership flourished, and they ended the first half of their innings at 66 for 2 after 10 overs. However, Hasini was dismissed for 22 runs off 28 balls, caught off a simple delivery from Shree Charani, leaving Sri Lanka at 82 for 3.

Late Innings Collapse

Sri Lanka reached the 100-run mark in 16.1 overs, but Amanjot Kaur's brilliant run-out of Harshitha for 33 runs off 32 balls halted their momentum. Vaishnavi Sharma claimed her first international wicket by dismissing Nilakshi de Silva for just two runs. Sri Lanka continued to lose wickets, with Kavisha Dilhari scoring 14 runs before being dismissed, and Shashini Gimhani falling for a golden duck. The innings concluded at 128 for 9, with Charani and Vaishnavi being the standout bowlers for India.

Brief scores: Sri Lanka Women 128/9 in 20 overs (Harshitha Samarawickrama 33, Chamari Athapaththu 31; Shree Charani 2/23) vs India Women 129/3 in 11.5 overs (Shafali Verma 69*, Jemimah Rodrigues 26; Kavisha Dilhari 1/15).