Smriti Mandhana Shines in India's Victory Over Sri Lanka in T20I

In a thrilling fourth T20I, Smriti Mandhana's stellar 80 runs helped India Women secure a 30-run victory over Sri Lanka, extending their series lead to 4-0. Alongside Shafali Verma, who scored 79, the duo's impressive opening partnership set the tone for the match. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur praised their efforts, while Sri Lanka's Chamari Athapaththu acknowledged improvements in her team's batting. This match marks a significant achievement for the Indian women's cricket team as they aim for a clean sweep in the series.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 29, 2025, 10:11 IST

Mandhana's Stellar Performance

In the fourth T20I against Sri Lanka, Indian women's opener Smriti Mandhana expressed her satisfaction with her batting contribution. She highlighted her impressive 162-run opening partnership with Shafali Verma, which played a crucial role in India's 30-run victory. The team, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, successfully defended a formidable target of 222, securing a 4-0 lead in the five-match series with one game remaining. Mandhana scored 80 runs off 48 deliveries, featuring 11 fours and three sixes, earning her the Player of the Match title. Reflecting on her performance, she mentioned, "After a lot of ODI cricket this year, transitioning to T20 was challenging. I’m pleased with my contribution today, and my strategy remained consistent with no major alterations. I had specific game plans against them and practiced extensively."

Praise for Shafali Verma

Mandhana also commended Shafali Verma's batting skills, noting that Verma primarily excels during the power play. Verma contributed significantly with 79 runs off 46 balls, including 12 fours and one six. "Watching Shafali bat is always a delight. She handles most of the hitting during the power play. We understand each other's strengths and weaknesses well. Over the past year, our team dynamics have improved, with everyone celebrating each other's successes," Mandhana remarked.

Captain's Acknowledgment

Following the decisive win, Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur credited both Shafali and Smriti for their outstanding start. She also praised Richa Ghosh for her performance, which helped the team achieve their highest total in women's T20I history. "We were pressed for time, and I wanted everyone to be punctual. I aimed to avoid having three fielders outside the infield. I strive to learn from my mistakes. Credit goes to Shafali and Smriti, and Richa finished the innings strongly. We initially considered sending Harleen, but given how things unfolded, we opted for Richa early on. Smriti and Shafali's performance meant Harleen didn't get a chance to bat," Kaur explained.

Sri Lanka's Improvement

Sri Lanka's captain, Chamari Athapaththu, acknowledged that their batting had improved compared to earlier matches in the series. "We have made progress in our batting, but we still need to enhance our power-hitting. The Indian team batted exceptionally well. Our bowlers struggled, but many young players are gaining valuable experience against the best team in the world. One bowler has shown significant improvement, executing plans effectively, especially in the middle overs," Athapaththu stated.

Match Summary

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).