India Women continued their dominant run against Sri Lanka, registering their highest-ever T20I total and clinching a 30-run victory in the fourth match of the five-game series at the Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram, on Sunday. The win gave the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side an unassailable 4-0 lead with one match remaining.
Asked to bat first, India produced a historic batting display to pile up a mammoth 221/2 in 20 overs – their highest team total in women’s T20I cricket. Openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma were at the heart of the onslaught, stitching together a record-breaking 162-run opening partnership, the highest for any wicket for India Women in T20Is.
Mandhana scored a sublime 80 off 48 balls, smashing 11 fours and three sixes, while Shafali was equally destructive with 79 off 46 deliveries, including 12 boundaries and a six. Their stand laid the foundation for a late flourish from Richa Ghosh, who hammered an unbeaten 40 off just 16 balls, and captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who remained not out on 16 off 10 balls, as India finished strongly.
During her innings, Mandhana etched her name in the record books by becoming only the second Indian and fourth woman overall to complete 10,000 runs in international cricket, joining Mithali Raj, Suzie Bates and Charlotte Edwards. She reached the landmark in the seventh over of India’s innings. Mandhana now has 629 runs in Tests, 5,322 runs in ODIs and 4,102 runs in T20Is, underlining her consistency across formats.
Chasing a daunting target of 222, Sri Lanka showed commendable intent. Captain Chamari Athapaththu led from the front with a fighting 52 off 37 balls, while opener Hasini Perera chipped in with an aggressive 33 off 20 deliveries. The visitors raced through the powerplay and reached 95/1 at the halfway mark, briefly keeping the contest alive.
However, India struck at crucial moments to stem the momentum. Young left-arm spinner Vaishnavi Sharma delivered a standout performance, picking up 2/24 in her four overs, including the prized wicket of Athapaththu. Arundhati Reddy also claimed two wickets, while disciplined spells in the middle overs ensured Sri Lanka fell short, finishing on 191/6 — their highest-ever T20I total, but still 30 runs shy.
Mandhana, who was named Player of the Match, admitted the transition back to T20 cricket after a long ODI season had been challenging. “After playing a lot of ODI cricket, it was mentally tough to get back into T20 mode. I’m happy I could contribute today,” she said, while also praising Shafali Verma’s aggressive approach and the growing camaraderie within the team.
India captain Harmanpreet Kaur credited the openers for setting up the win and highlighted Richa Ghosh’s finishing touch. “Smriti and Shafali gave us a brilliant start, and Richa finished beautifully. That partnership made the difference,” she said.
Sri Lanka skipper Chamari Athapaththu acknowledged her team’s improved batting but pointed to inexperience in the bowling attack. “We have improved with the bat, but we need to work on our power-hitting and bowling. Playing against the best team helps our youngsters learn,” she said.
With one game still to play, India have already sealed the series in emphatic fashion, showcasing their batting depth, young bowling talent and growing dominance in the shortest format.
Brief scores:
India Women 221/2 in 20 overs (Smriti Mandhana 80, Shafali Verma 79, Richa Ghosh 40*; Malsha Shehani 1/32)
Sri Lanka Women 191/6 in 20 overs (Chamari Athapaththu 52, Hasini Perera 33; Vaishnavi Sharma 2/24, Arundhati Reddy 2/42)
India won by 30 runs.
(With agency inputs)
