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

In a thrilling fourth T20I match, Smriti Mandhana's outstanding performance helped India Women secure a 30-run victory over Sri Lanka, extending their series lead to 4-0. Mandhana's 80 runs, alongside Shafali Verma's 79, set a formidable target of 222. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur praised the team's efforts, while Sri Lanka's Chamari Athapaththu noted improvements in their batting. This match showcased the growing talent in women's cricket and the competitive spirit of both teams.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 29, 2025, 01:50 IST

Mandhana's Stellar Performance

In Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, Smriti Mandhana, the opener for India Women, expressed her joy in contributing significantly with the bat during the fourth T20I against Sri Lanka. She reflected on her impressive 162-run opening partnership with Shafali Verma.

Under the leadership of Harmanpreet Kaur, the Indian team successfully defended a formidable target of 222, securing a 30-run win over Sri Lanka. This victory marked their fourth consecutive win in the five-match series, giving them an unassailable 4-0 lead.

Mandhana delivered a remarkable performance, scoring 80 runs off 48 balls, featuring 11 fours and three sixes, earning her the Player of the Match title. Following her achievement, she noted that her strategy remained consistent, with no significant alterations.

She stated, "Transitioning from a year of ODI cricket to T20 was challenging mentally. I'm pleased with my contribution today. My approach was similar, with no major changes. I had specific game plans against them and practiced extensively."

Praise for Shafali Verma

Mandhana also commended Shafali Verma's batting prowess, highlighting her ability to dominate during the power play. Verma scored 79 runs off 46 balls, including 12 fours and one six.

"Watching Shafali bat is always a delight. She handles most of the hitting in the power play. We understand each other's strengths and weaknesses well. She has shown significant maturity. The team atmosphere has evolved over the past year, with everyone celebrating each other's successes," Mandhana added.

Captain's Insights

Following the comprehensive victory, India’s captain Harmanpreet Kaur acknowledged the excellent start provided by Shafali and Smriti. She also praised Richa Ghosh's innings, which helped the team achieve their highest total in women's T20I cricket.

"Time was running short, 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 planned to send Harleen, but given how things unfolded, we opted for Richa early. Smriti and Shafali's performance meant Harleen didn't get a chance to bat," Kaur explained.

Sri Lanka's Response

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

Match Summary

Final scores: 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).