Jemimah Rodrigues Shines as India Defeats Sri Lanka in Women's T20I Opener

In a thrilling start to the Women's T20 International series, Jemimah Rodrigues led India to an impressive eight-wicket victory over Sri Lanka, scoring an unbeaten 69 runs. The Indian bowlers restricted Sri Lanka to 121 runs, setting the stage for a successful chase. With key partnerships and standout performances, India takes a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. Discover how Rodrigues' remarkable innings and strategic bowling helped secure this victory.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 21, 2025, 22:46 IST

India's Dominant Performance in Women's T20I

Jemimah Rodrigues showcased her exceptional batting skills, scoring an impressive 69 runs off just 44 balls, leading India to a convincing eight-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the first Women's T20 International on Sunday.

Choosing to bowl first, India managed to limit Sri Lanka to a modest total of 121 runs for six wickets, as the visiting team struggled to capitalize on loose deliveries, compounded by early dew conditions.

India chased down the target of 122 runs with 32 balls remaining, thanks to Rodrigues' partnerships of 54 runs with Smriti Mandhana, who scored 25 runs off 25 balls, and 55 runs with captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who remained unbeaten on 15 runs off 16 balls, giving India a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

Rodrigues' innings was highlighted by her remarkable ability to hit four boundaries in a single over bowled by left-arm wrist spinner Shashini Gimhani.

The innings began with Shafali Verma hitting three boundaries in the first over, but her momentum was cut short when Gimhani caught her off a flick from Kawya Kavindi.

Mandhana was fortunate to score a boundary off a thick inside edge from Kawya, while Rodrigues executed a late cut off Malki Madara to find the boundary.

As India reached 30 for one in four overs, Sri Lanka's captain Chamari Athapaththu entered the bowling attack. Mandhana responded with a boundary through backward point and another lofted shot over extra-cover, marking her 4000 runs in T20I cricket.

Inoka Ranaweera ended Mandhana's innings, but Rodrigues and Harmanpreet ensured a smooth finish for India.

For Sri Lanka, opener Vishmi Gunaratne was the top scorer with 39 runs off 43 balls, while Hasini Perera and Harshitha Samarawickrama contributed 20 and 21 runs, respectively.

Athapaththu quickly got into the action, hitting a four off a delivery from Kranti Gaud.

Deepti Sharma, who was named Player of the Series in India's recent ODI World Cup victory, made a significant impact with her bowling, conceding only 20 runs in four overs and preventing boundaries effectively.

Athapaththu's aggressive batting forced Gaud to change her angle, resulting in the Sri Lankan captain's wicket as the ball went through her defenses.

Hasini managed to find a boundary off Gaud, but the introduction of Deepti during the powerplay kept Sri Lanka at 31 for one at the end of the initial overs.

Vaishnavi Sharma, making her international debut, bowled a disciplined spell, allowing only three runs in her first over.

Hasini attempted a reverse sweep to score a four off Shree Charani, who later dropped a catch that could have given Vaishnavi her first wicket.

In a bid for quick runs, Hasini fell to Deepti's bowling, leaving Sri Lanka at 55 for two after the first ten overs, despite the dew making it challenging for Indian bowlers to grip the ball.