India Women continued their dominance in the 4th T20I of the home series with a convincing 30-run victory over Sri Lanka Women after the visitors elected to field first. On a good batting surface, India put up a formidable total of 221 for 2 in their allotted 20 overs, riding on a sensational opening stand and a strong finish, before their bowlers held their nerve to restrict Sri Lanka to 191 for 6 in reply.
India’s innings was defined by an explosive start from openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma, who took the Sri Lankan bowling attack apart with fearless stroke play. The duo added 162 runs for the first wicket, completely dictating terms during the powerplay and beyond.
Mandhana looked elegant yet destructive, scoring a fluent 80 off 48 balls, striking 11 fours and three sixes while maintaining a strike rate well above 160. At the other end, Shafali was equally brutal, smashing 79 off 46 deliveries with 12 boundaries and a six. Sri Lanka struggled to find answers as the pair punished both pace and spin, setting the tone for a massive total. Though Sri Lanka managed to break the partnership in the 16th over, the damage had already been done.
The finishing touches were expertly applied by Richa Ghosh and captain Harmanpreet Kaur. Richa, in particular, provided the late surge with an unbeaten 40 off just 16 balls, striking at an astonishing rate of 250, while Harmanpreet chipped in with a calm 16 not out. India scored freely in the death overs, ending with an imposing 221 for 2, their highest-ever T20I team total. For Sri Lanka, Malsha Shehani and Nimasha Meepage picked up a wicket each, but the bowling unit largely endured a tough outing under relentless pressure.
Chasing 222, Sri Lanka Women began positively, with Hasini Perera and skipper Chamari Athapaththu showing intent from the start. Perera’s brisk 33 off 20 balls set the early momentum, while Athapaththu anchored the innings with a fighting 52 off 37 deliveries, including three fours and three sixes. Imeesha Dulani also contributed a handy 29, and Harshitha Samarawickrama added 20, keeping Sri Lanka in the hunt through the middle overs.
However, regular wickets prevented them from building the kind of partnerships required to seriously chase India’s total. India’s bowlers, despite conceding runs, delivered timely breakthroughs. Arundhati Reddy and Vaishnavi Sharma claimed two wickets each, while Shree Charani chipped in with one. Deepti Sharma bowled economically through the middle phase, applying pressure that resulted in key dismissals.
Late cameos from Nilakshika Silva, who remained unbeaten on 23 off 11 balls, ensured Sri Lanka finished strongly, also posting their highest T20I total, but unfortunately 30 runs shy from the target. Sri Lanka eventually ended with a total of 191/6 as India sealed a comprehensive win and underlined their batting depth and overall superiority in the series.
Loves all things female cricket