India Secures 4-0 Lead Against Sri Lanka in T20 Series

In the fourth T20 match, India outperformed Sri Lanka by 30 runs, taking a 4-0 lead in the series. Key contributions came from Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma, who set a strong foundation with their record partnership. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur emphasized the importance of maintaining the over rate, while Sri Lankan captain Chamari Athapaththu acknowledged improvements in her team's batting. With the final match approaching, there are hints of potential changes in the Indian lineup, possibly giving younger players a chance to shine.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 29, 2025, 22:17 IST

India Dominates Sri Lanka in Fourth T20 Match

In a match played in a pleasantly warm atmosphere, India triumphed over Sri Lanka by 30 runs, establishing an unassailable 4-0 lead in the series. Following the game, Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur acknowledged the need for the team to be vigilant about the over rate in the final overs, instructing bowlers to expedite their deliveries.

During the closing overs of Sri Lanka's innings, Harmanpreet was notably active, consistently guiding players on positioning and timing. After the match, she expressed concern about the dwindling time and emphasized her desire to avoid any penalties for having too few fielders.

The foundation of India's victory was laid by the record partnership between Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma, who batted aggressively to propel the team to a formidable score. Mandhana scored 80 runs, while Shafali contributed 79 runs. Following their innings, Richa Ghosh and Harmanpreet continued to build on the momentum.

According to reports, bowler Vaishnavi Sharma delivered an impressive performance, taking 2 wickets for 24 runs, effectively stalling Sri Lanka's scoring rate.

Post-match, Harmanpreet hinted at potential changes in the team lineup for the final T20, suggesting that some players might get an opportunity. She also mentioned that the initial plan was to send Harleen Deol to bat first, but Richa was sent in earlier due to the match situation.

Player of the Match Smriti Mandhana remarked that transitioning from ODIs to T20s was somewhat challenging, but practice and strategy proved beneficial. She praised Shafali, stating that batting alongside her is always a special experience.

Despite the loss, Sri Lankan captain Chamari Athapaththu spoke about the improvements in her team's performance. She acknowledged that while batting had improved, there is still a need for more work on power hitting.

Overall, India has maintained its dominance in the series, and there are indications that the final match may see the introduction of younger players.