India Women continued their dominant run in the five-match T20I series against Sri Lanka, securing a 30-run victory in the fourth game at the Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram. Posting 221/2, India set a challenging target that Sri Lanka could only manage 191/6 in their 20 overs.
The innings was powered by a sensational opening partnership between Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma. The duo added a record 162 runs, the highest opening stand for India in Women’s T20Is. Mandhana scored a classy 80 off 48 balls, while Shafali matched her with 79 off 46 deliveries, continuing her rich vein of form with a third consecutive fifty.
Mandhana also celebrated a major milestone, surpassing Mithali Raj to become the fastest Indian woman to reach 10,000 international runs, achieving it in her 280th innings.
India’s innings was further boosted by Richa Ghosh, who promoted up the order and smashed a quick 40 off just 16 balls, finishing the innings in emphatic style.
The Sri Lankan bowlers struggled to contain the Indian batters, though Malsha Shehani and Nimasha Meepage managed to take a wicket each.
Chasing a daunting total, Sri Lanka Women started well with Hasini Perera scoring 33 off 20 balls and keeping pace with India early on. Chamari Athapaththu contributed with a captain’s knock, reaching her fifty, but the middle order faltered under pressure. Despite some positive partnerships and intent to score quickly, the Sri Lankan side eventually fell 30 runs short, finishing at 191/6.
India’s bowlers had moments of control, with Arundhati Reddy providing early breakthroughs and picking up another wicket later, while young Vaishnavi Sharma impressed in the middle overs, claiming key scalps including the Sri Lankan skipper. Sree Charani also chipped in with a wicket, but sloppy fielding and dropped catches were a concern, highlighting an area India will need to improve despite the win.
With this victory, India Women now lead the series 4-0, keeping their winning momentum alive, while Sri Lanka can take positives from their spirited chase and record total, showing glimpses of resilience and intent.
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