India Women Dominate Sri Lanka Again, Shafali Verma Stars as India Take 2–0 Lead
The Indian women’s cricket team delivered a commanding all-round performance to defeat Sri Lanka Women by 7 wickets in the second T20I, taking an unassailable 2–0 lead in the three-match series. It was a near-perfect outing for India, with the team excelling in bowling, batting, and fielding.
Sri Lanka’s Innings: Bright Start, Poor Finish
After winning the toss, India opted to bowl first—a decision that paid rich dividends. Sri Lanka began steadily during the powerplay, but the momentum was quickly lost as wickets fell at regular intervals. The Indian bowlers maintained disciplined lines and lengths, preventing Sri Lankan batters from playing freely.
The middle overs proved especially challenging for Sri Lanka, as their batters struggled to rotate strike and repeatedly found fielders while attempting aggressive shots. As a result, Sri Lanka could only manage 128 runs for 9 wickets in their allotted 20 overs—well below a competitive total on this surface.
India’s Bowlers and Fielders Set the Tone
India’s bowling unit showcased great responsibility and teamwork. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur later explained that the decision to bowl first was based on confidence in the bowling attack. Bowlers like Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, and young Vaishnavi played key roles in keeping Sri Lanka under pressure.
Fielding, which had been slightly below par in the previous match, showed significant improvement. The Indian players were sharp in the field, took their chances, and ensured that Sri Lanka never gained momentum.
Shafali Verma’s Explosive Knock Seals the Chase
Chasing a modest target of 129, India lost Smriti Mandhana early, but Shafali Verma quickly took control of the innings. Partnering with Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali maintained a high scoring rate, and the duo stitched together a rapid 58-run partnership that effectively sealed the match.
Jemimah departed after a useful contribution, but Shafali remained unfazed. She brought up her half-century in just 27 balls and went on to finish unbeaten on 69. Her innings was a fine blend of composure and aggression, featuring crisp ground shots, smart strike rotation, and powerful boundary-hitting.
Records and Key Numbers
- India chased down 129 runs in just 11.5 overs, their fastest successful chase of a 120+ target in women’s T20Is
- The team finished with 49 balls remaining, the most ever for India Women in such a chase
- Shafali Verma now ranks among the players with the most 50+ scores before turning 22 in women’s T20Is
- Since 2020, India have won 9 of their last 11 T20Is against Sri Lanka
Player of the Match: Shafali Verma
Shafali Verma was named Player of the Match for her outstanding performance. She mentioned that the ball was holding up slightly early on, so she focused on playing along the ground and taking singles. She also credited her coach for guiding her approach and emphasized that accepting one’s weaknesses is key to becoming a better cricketer.
Captains’ Reactions
Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur praised the bowling unit for setting the foundation of the win and highlighted the team’s improvement in fielding. She noted that the squad had set certain standards before the series and was committed to maintaining them.
Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu admitted that her team failed to capitalize after a decent start and struggled badly in the middle overs. She acknowledged that a total of at least 150 was needed against a strong Indian side and said the team must improve decision-making and boundary-hitting going forward.
Conclusion
Overall, the match was a clear demonstration of India Women’s dominance. With strong performances across all departments, India thoroughly outplayed Sri Lanka and secured the series with a match to spare. The final game now presents India with a chance to complete a clean sweep, while Sri Lanka will aim to salvage pride.