The India women’s cricket team concluded their dominant home campaign with an astonishing 5-0 series sweep over Sri Lanka Women, securing a thrilling 15-run victory in the fifth T20I at Thiruvananthapuram on December 30, 2025.
This win not only capped off the year on a perfect note but also infused the team with immense confidence heading into the 2026 T20 World Cup. Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu won the toss and elected to field first, a decision that initially seemed prudent as Sri Lankan bowlers got early wickets that made it difficult for India’s batting unit to find momentum.
India’s innings got off to a shaky start when openers Shafali Verma departed for 5 runs and Gunalan Kamalini followed soon after for 12, leaving the scoreboard reading 27 for two. Harleen Deol then contributed 13 runs, captain Harmanpreet Kaur partnering with Amanjot Kaur gave a crucial 61 runs partnership off 38 balls.
Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur truly anchored the innings, smashing 68 runs off 43 balls, complete with nine boundaries and one six that accelerated the scoring rate in the middle overs. Late cameos from Arundhati Reddy who gave an unbeaten 27 off just 11 balls, featuring four fours and a six, propelled India to a competitive total of 175 for seven in their 20 overs.
Chamari Athapaththu led the bowling attack admirably, claiming two wickets for 21 runs and dismissing key batters like Deepti Sharma and Richa Ghosh. Nimasha Meepage picked up a wicket along with Rashimka Sewwandi and Kavisha Dilhari who got 2 wickets each. Sri Lanka managed to restrict India to 77 for five at the halfway stage, but Harmanpreet’s fifty and Reddy’s explosive finishing frustrated their efforts on a pitch.
In response chasing 176, Sri Lanka top-order Hasini Perera and Imesha Dulani provided a solid platform, 79 runs partnership off 56 balls, racing to team 50 for one in 6.2 overs. Hasini emerged as the standout performer with a gritty 65 off 42 balls, including eight fours and a six. Imesha supported her and scored a half century.
Nilakshika Silva managed only three, Kavisha Dilhari was dismissed for five, and the score slipped to 100 for three. Rashmi Sewwandi remained unbeaten on 14 off 8 balls but Sri Lanka finished at 160 for seven, falling 15 runs short in a tense chase. The match’s turning point came when India recovered from 64 for four through Harmanpreet and Amanjot partnerships for the sixth wicket that shifted momentum decisively.
Sri Lanka’s chase faltered after Perera’s departure, with regular wickets from India’s bowling attack triggering a collapse from 100 for three to 140 for seven. This clinical performance highlighted India’s depth in both batting and bowling, contrasting Sri Lanka’s overreliance on individuals.
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