Dubai: In a historic match that recorded the highest margin of victory ever for India in Women’s T20 World Cups, Team India delivered an outstanding performance against Sri Lanka, knocking them out of the tournament with a comprehensive win on Wednesday.
This victory could not have come at a more opportune moment for the Indian side, as they powered their way to claim the second spot in Group A after suffering a heavy loss and a somewhat shaky win in their previous matches.
Batting first, India showcased their batting prowess, with the top three—Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, and Harmanpreet Kaur—providing a solid foundation. Despite Harmanpreet's absence on the field, Mandhana’s leadership proved fruitful, as the team executed their plans flawlessly from the very first ball of the chase.
Shreyanka Patil, brought in to bowl the second over, made an immediate impact by dismissing the dangerous Chamari Athapaththu, sending the Sri Lankan opener back to the pavilion. Earlier, Radha Yadav, who had been substituted into the squad, set the tone for India with a stunning catch to dismiss Vishmi Gunaratne in the opening over.
Sri Lanka's batting lineup faltered dramatically, slipping to 6/3 early in the innings, and they were unable to recover from this precarious position. The team aimed to minimise their Net Run Rate (NRR) but could only muster a total of 90 runs before being bowled out. While Kavisha Dilhari and Anushka Sanjeewani showed some resilience during their partnership, the Indian bowlers maintained control throughout the innings.
Arundhati Reddy was particularly impressive, claiming three wickets, while leg-spinner Asha Sobhana also contributed with three scalps of her own. Remarkably, all five bowlers used by Mandhana finished with wickets to their names, underscoring the team’s all-round bowling performance.
With this decisive victory, India not only secured their place in the tournament but also dealt a significant blow to Sri Lanka's aspirations. The win serves as a crucial boost for the Indian team as they aim to advance further in the Women's T20 World Cup.
Earlier, India posted a remarkable total of 172 runs, surpassing their score from the Asia Cup final earlier this year by seven runs against Sri Lanka in this vital Women's T20 World Cup match.
The Indian innings began cautiously, with opener Smriti Mandhana initially struggling to find her timing during the powerplay. However, Shafali Verma’s aggressive batting provided crucial momentum, as she struck several boundaries to help India conclude the powerplay without losing a wicket, finishing with 41 runs on the board.
As the innings progressed, Mandhana found her rhythm, showcasing her skill with a series of elegant inside-out shots. She ultimately outscored her opening partner, reaching a well-deserved half-century.
Unfortunately for India, the departure of both openers came in quick succession, with Athapaththu claiming one wicket via a run-out, allowing Sri Lanka to regain some control over the match.
Despite this setback, Jemimah Rodrigues stepped in and delivered a spirited performance, unleashing a series of splendid sweep shots to contribute a quickfire 16 runs.
Harmanpreet began her innings slowly but dramatically increased her scoring rate during the death overs, dispatching the Sri Lankan pacers with powerful shots down the ground and across the line, ultimately reaching her fifty off just 27 balls.