On 9th October, the Indian Women’s Cricket Team performed sensational against Sri Lanka in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, claiming an 82-run victory. This win, which is India’s largest ever in T20 World Cup history, has boosted their chances of qualifying for the semi-finals. Previously, India’s biggest T20 World Cup win was a 79-run triumph against Bangladesh in 2014. With this victory, India has secured second place in the points table.
India Sets a Massive Target of 173 Runs
After winning the toss, Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur opted to bat first. The Indian openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma laid a solid foundation for the team, scoring 98 runs for the first wicket in just 12.4 overs. Smriti Mandhana played a stellar knock of 50 off 38 balls, which included four boundaries and a six, while Shafali Verma contributed 43 runs off 40 deliveries.
The highlight of the Indian innings was Harmanpreet Kaur, who made a remarkable comeback after retiring hurt in the previous game. She smashed an unbeaten 52 off 27 balls, including eight fours and one six. Her aggressive innings helped India post a competitive total of 172/3 in 20 overs, the highest team score in the ongoing tournament.
Jemimah Rodrigues also made a vital contribution with 16 runs, helping India accelerate in the final overs. India scored 46 runs in the last five overs, showcasing the team’s depth and batting strength.
Sri Lanka’s Early Collapse
Sri Lanka faced a daunting task of chasing down 173 runs, but their innings never gained momentum. Renuka Singh gave India an early breakthrough by dismissing Vishmi Gunaratne for a duck in the second ball of the innings. Sri Lanka’s captain, Chamari Athapaththu, who was expected to anchor the innings, also failed to make an impact and was dismissed for just 1 run.
In the very next over, Renuka struck again, removing Harshitha Samarawickrama for 3 runs. By the third over, Sri Lanka had lost three wickets for just 6 runs, leaving them in a precarious situation.
Middle-Order Resistance from Sri Lanka
Anushka Sanjeewani (20) and Kavisha Dilhari (21) provided some resistance for Sri Lanka, adding crucial runs and trying to stabilize the innings. However, India’s bowlers, particularly leg-spinner Asha Shobhana and pacer Arundhati Reddy, were too good for Sri Lanka’s batters. Asha dismissed Anushka, breaking the 28-run partnership, while Arundhati sent Kavisha back to the pavilion.
Sri Lanka’s middle order crumbled under pressure, with Nilakshika Silva (8) and Sugandika Kumari (1) failing to contribute much. Aima Kanchana, who top-scored with 19, was the last glimmer of hope for the Sri Lankan side, but even she couldn’t salvage the chase.
Sri Lanka’s innings eventually folded at 90 runs in 19.5 overs, falling short of India’s target by 82 runs. Asha Shobhana and Arundhati Reddy were the stars of India’s bowling attack, each claiming three wickets for 19 runs. Renuka Singh also made a notable contribution, picking up two wickets for 16 runs.
A Dominant Performance by India’s Bowlers
India’s bowlers deserve full credit for this outstanding performance. Asha Shobhana’s leg-spin proved too tricky for the Sri Lankan batters, while Arundhati’s disciplined pace bowling ensured Sri Lanka never got a chance to settle.
India’s fielding was also top-notch, with several key catches and run-outs that put constant pressure on the opposition. Richa Ghosh, India’s wicketkeeper, played a crucial role by taking two stumpings and maintaining sharp reflexes behind the stumps.
India’s Journey to the Semi-Finals
This commanding victory puts India in a strong position in the points table, securing second place with four points from three matches. The team’s performance has been consistent throughout the tournament, and this win against Sri Lanka keeps their semi-final hopes alive.
India’s next game will be crucial in determining whether they can progress to the knockout stages. The team will need to maintain this winning momentum and rely on both their batting and bowling depth to make it through to the semi-finals.
Key Performances That Stood Out
- Harmanpreet Kaur: The Indian captain’s unbeaten 52 off 27 balls played a pivotal role in setting up India’s huge total. Her return to form after retiring hurt in the previous game was a positive sign for the team.
- Smriti Mandhana: Smriti’s half-century gave India the perfect start. Her partnership with Shafali Verma was instrumental in laying a strong foundation for the team’s innings.
- Asha Shobhana and Arundhati Reddy: Both bowlers were exceptional, claiming three wickets each and ensuring Sri Lanka never got going in their chase.
- Renuka Singh: The pacer’s early strikes broke the backbone of Sri Lanka’s batting order, making it difficult for them to recover.
Sri Lanka’s Struggles Continue
Sri Lanka’s Women’s team has had a difficult tournament so far, and this defeat against India adds to their woes. Despite some individual efforts from players like Anushka Sanjeewani and Kavisha Dilhari, the team has struggled to perform as a unit. Their batting collapse against India highlights the challenges they face in building partnerships and maintaining consistency.
Captain Chamari Athapaththu’s lack of form is also a major concern for Sri Lanka. The team will need her to step up in the upcoming matches if they want to keep their tournament hopes alive.
