India’s dominance in the women’s T20I series against Sri Lanka continued unabated as a stunning opening stand laid the foundation for another emphatic victory, pushing the hosts to an unassailable 4–0 lead in the five-match series.
At the heart of the performance was a record-breaking partnership between Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma, who once again showcased why they are among the most feared opening pairs in women’s T20 cricket.
Openers Set the Tone Early
From the very start, Mandhana and Verma played with intent. Boundaries flowed freely during the powerplay, with Verma quickly shifting gears to dominate the bowling. She raced to 37 off just 20 balls, while Mandhana reached a major personal milestone, becoming the fastest Indian woman to cross 10,000 international runs.
As Mandhana anchored the innings with controlled aggression, Verma continued to pile on the pressure, registering her third consecutive half-century. Mandhana followed soon after, bringing up her own fifty off 35 balls. With India cruising at 120 without loss after 12 overs, a massive total looked inevitable.
The duo then accelerated further, dismantling the Sri Lankan attack and surpassing their own record to register India’s highest partnership in women’s T20Is. With five overs remaining, both batters were eyeing centuries before an unexpected twist saw them dismissed within six balls of each other.
Late Surge Takes India Past 220
The responsibility of finishing the innings fell to Richa Ghosh and captain Harmanpreet Kaur. Ghosh made Sri Lanka pay dearly for a dropped catch, launching a brutal assault that included three sixes and a four in one over. Harmanpreet ensured the momentum continued, helping India cross 220 for the first time in women’s T20I history.
India eventually posted a commanding 221/2, their highest total in the format.
Sri Lanka Fight, But India Stay in Control
Chasing a daunting target, Sri Lanka showed early intent. Hasini Perera struck multiple boundaries upfront, while skipper Chamari Athapaththu joined the charge with confident strokeplay. The visitors raced past 50 inside four overs and reached 95/1 at the halfway stage, keeping hopes alive.
However, India struck at crucial moments. Vaishnavi Sharma removed Athapaththu soon after her half-century, triggering a collapse. A run-out and another quick wicket tilted the balance firmly back in India’s favour.
With the required rate spiralling, Sri Lanka eventually fell short, finishing on 191/6, handing India a 30-run victory.
Series in India’s Grasp
With one match left to play, India have already sealed the series in dominant fashion. The Mandhana–Verma opening combination, backed by explosive finishing and timely bowling, has made the hosts look nearly unbeatable as they continue to build momentum.
