Harmanpreet Kaur Celebrates Team's Dominance in T20I Against Sri Lanka
Harmanpreet Applauds Team Performance
After leading her team to victory against Sri Lanka in the second T20I, Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur expressed her satisfaction with the team's overall performance. She particularly highlighted the contributions of Vaishnavi Sharma and Shafali Verma, whose impressive efforts, including two wickets from Vaishnavi, propelled India to a 2-0 lead in the five-match series, winning by seven wickets with 49 balls to spare.
"I am thrilled with our bowling today. That was why we chose to bowl first. The bowlers took charge and established a strong position early on. Later, Shafali and the other batsmen finished the job excellently. Everyone in our bowling unit understands their responsibilities and is stepping up. We know what Sneh brings to the table, and Deepti has been consistent, but I am very pleased with our overall bowling performance," Harmanpreet stated during the post-match presentation.
"We were all eager for Vaishnavi's first wicket. Despite a few missed opportunities in the last match, she bowled a crucial over today and took two wickets," she added.
Harmanpreet also mentioned the team's focus on improving their fielding skills and expressed satisfaction with their progress. "Before arriving here, we set certain standards for ourselves as a team, and everyone is dedicated to that. Each player knows their role when they step onto the field and is prepared to take responsibility," she remarked.
Shafali Verma Reflects on Her Performance
Shafali Verma, named 'Player of the Match' for her impressive half-century, noted that the ball was "holding a bit at the start." She explained, "I aimed to play along the ground and take singles. The coach advised me on how to approach such conditions. They bowled well initially, and it was a solid innings. I maintained my composure, played along the ground, and the ball was coming onto the bat nicely. I know I can score runs if I focus on playing the ball on the ground. Acceptance is key; if you acknowledge your weaknesses, you can become a better cricketer."
Sri Lankan Captain Analyzes Missed Opportunities
Sri Lankan captain Chamari Athapaththu acknowledged that her team started strong during the powerplay but failed to capitalize on that momentum, losing crucial wickets and struggling during the middle overs. "India executed their plans effectively, and our batters attempted to play their shots, but we kept hitting straight to the fielders. These are areas we definitely need to improve. If we bat first against India, we need at least 150 runs or more. We must enhance our handling of the middle overs, rotate the strike better, and consistently look for boundaries," she commented.
"We need to hit more boundaries. As a bowling unit, we faced challenges, especially with the dew. It was tough to grip the ball as spinners and achieve any real turn. Overall, we need to improve. On a pitch like this, scoring over 150 is essential to have a chance. Once India gains momentum, it becomes very difficult to bowl to them. I hope we learn quickly, make better decisions, and have better outcomes next time," she added.
Match Summary
In the match, India won the toss and chose to bowl first. Contributions from Harshitha Samarawickrama (33 runs off 32 balls, including four boundaries) and captain Chamari (31 runs off 24 balls, with three fours and two sixes) helped Sri Lanka reach 128/9 in their 20 overs. Shree Charani (2/23) and Vaishnavi Sharma (2/31) were the standout bowlers for India.
During the chase of 129 runs, India lost Smriti Mandhana early on, but Shafali (69 not out off 34 balls, with 11 fours and a six) and Jemimah Rodrigues (26 runs off 15 balls, with four boundaries and a six) delivered remarkable performances, leading India to victory with seven wickets in hand and 49 balls remaining.