Under the floodlights at Thiruvananthapuram’s Greenfield Stadium, India produced another commanding all-round display to storm to a 3–0 lead in the five-match T20 series against Sri Lanka. Backed by a lively crowd of nearly 6,000 spectators, the hosts showcased their growing supremacy with both bat and ball, leaving Sri Lanka outclassed in every department.
Harmanpreet’s Tactical Call Sets the Tone
For the third match in a row, captain Harmanpreet Kaur won the toss and elected to field, a decision that once again paid rich dividends. India’s bowlers exploited the conditions superbly, applying relentless pressure to restrict Sri Lanka to a modest total of 112 for 7, a score that never truly threatened the hosts.
Renuka Singh Rips Through Sri Lanka’s Batting
Renuka Singh emerged as the chief architect of Sri Lanka’s collapse with a fiery spell that earned her the Player of the Match award. Sharp, skiddy, and consistently accurate, the medium pacer dismantled the middle order, finishing with impressive figures of 4 for 21. Hasini Perera offered brief resistance with a brisk 25, but wickets fell regularly as Harshitha Samarawickrama, Nilakshika Silva, and Imesha Dulani succumbed to India’s disciplined attack.
Deepti Sharma Tightens the Noose
If Renuka provided the early breakthroughs, Deepti Sharma ensured Sri Lanka never found momentum. Returning after missing the previous game due to illness, the all-rounder delivered a masterclass in control, claiming three crucial wickets. Her performance also saw her draw level with Megan Schutt as the joint-highest wicket-taker in women’s T20 internationals, with 151 scalps. Deepti removed key batters including Chamari Athapaththu, Kavisha Dilhari, and Malsha Shehani, extinguishing any hopes of a late surge.
Shafali Verma’s Fearless Assault Seals the Chase
Chasing a modest target, India wasted no time asserting dominance. Shafali Verma continued her sensational run of form, smashing an unbeaten 79 off just 42 deliveries. The opener brought up her second successive half-century of the series in a mere 24 balls, blending raw power with fearless intent. Particularly punishing against left-arm spinner Nimasha Meepage, Shafali plundered runs at will and thrilled the crowd with a series of audacious strokes, including a sublime cover drive off Malki Madara.
Batting with an instinctive flair reminiscent of Virender Sehwag, Shafali trusted timing and hand-eye coordination over convention, embodying an aggressive philosophy perfectly suited to modern T20 cricket. Her dominance allowed the rest of the batting lineup to settle comfortably as India cruised to victory with more than six overs to spare and eight wickets in hand.
India’s All-Round Excellence Continues
Ruthless with the ball and fearless with the bat, India controlled every phase of the contest. The emphatic win underlined the gulf between the two sides and highlighted India’s growing confidence ahead of upcoming global tournaments.
Reflecting on the team’s progress, Harmanpreet Kaur expressed satisfaction with the aggressive brand of cricket on display, emphasizing the squad’s commitment to raising standards following the ODI World Cup and building momentum ahead of the T20 World Cup.
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