The Indian women’s cricket team arrived in Visakhapatnam not just as participants for a 5-match T20I series against Sri Lanka, but as a side reshaped by history. Vizag, with its tranquil coastline and measured pace, became the setting for a team still coming to terms with the magnitude of its maiden ODI World Cup triumph.
This series marks India’s first international assignment since lifting the World Cup, and the atmosphere around the squad reflects a fine balance, pride without arrogance, confidence without noise. There is excitement in the air, but also a visible sense of maturity, a feeling that this team now understands what sustained success demands and is learning how to shoulder that responsibility with grace.
As cricket took center stage in Vizag, players opted for a moment of spiritual grounding. Visuals from the teams’ visit to the Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple captured the players walking through the temple premises, hands folded in prayer, heads bowed in quiet contemplation. As bells rang softly and the fragrance of incense filled the air, the moment became even more intimate.
On the cricketing front, India has wasted no time in asserting their authority on return. Fresh off their historic ODI World Cup victory, the hosts carried that confidence into the first WT20I, sealing a convincing win to take a 1–0 lead in the series. There was no hint of complacency in their approach. Instead, India played with clarity and intent, transitioning seamlessly from the longer format to the demands of T20 cricket.
In the opening WT20I, India’s bowlers set the tone by restricting Sri Lanka to 121 for 6 in their 20 overs. Vishmi Gunaratne top-scored for Sri Lanka with a composed 39 off 43 balls, but consistent pressure from the Indian attack never allowed momentum to build. Kranti Goud impressed with figures of 1 for 23, while Deepti Sharma and N. Charani bowled tight spells, returning figures of 1 for 20 and 1 for 30 respectively.
With the chase ahead, India’s openers provided a steady start, Smriti Mandhana scoring a run-a-ball 25 to also complete 4000 runs in women’s T20Is, becoming only the second player to achieve the milestone. Jemimah Rodrigues anchored the innings with a fluent 69* off 44 deliveries, guiding India home with assurance. The middle order ensured stability at crucial moments, and sharp fielding further underlined India’s all-round control.
As the teams gear up for the second WT20I, the spotlight remains firmly on India’s consistency. With a series lead already secured, the challenge lies in maintaining intensity and resisting complacency. While the management may look to fine-tune combinations, the core philosophy is unlikely to change, balance with the bat, discipline with the ball, and energy in the field.
For Sri Lanka, the match presents a must-win scenario, adding urgency and edge to the contest. For India, it is another opportunity to reinforce dominance and continue building momentum in the shortest format. India’s time in Vizag has already been about far more than results alone.
As world champions learning to sustain success, this team continues to show that belief, humility, and discipline can coexist. Whether inside a temple or under floodlights, the Indian women’s team in Vizag is shaping a narrative rooted in purpose, one that promises to grow stronger with every match played.
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