Fresh off a commanding victory in the series opener, the Indian women's cricket team will look to secure an unassailable lead when they face Sri Lanka in the second T20I on Tuesday. This five-match contest, being played at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam, marks India's first white-ball assignment since their memorable run in the ICC Women's World Cup on home soil earlier this year.
Dominant Start for the Women in Blue
The home side delivered a comprehensive performance in the first match, winning by a significant margin. After opting to bat first, Sri Lanka were restricted to a sub-par total of 129 runs, thanks to a disciplined bowling effort from the Indian attack. For the visitors, Vishmi Gunaratne was the top-scorer, while Indian bowlers Kranti Gaud, Deepti Sharma, and Sree Charani each claimed a wicket.
In response, the Indian chase was led masterfully by Jemimah Rodrigues, who remained unbeaten on a brilliant 69 runs. Her knock ensured the Women in Blue chased down the target comfortably in just 14.4 overs, showcasing their batting firepower and setting a confident tone for the series.
Crucial Preparation for the Global Stage
This bilateral series holds significant importance for both teams as they build towards the Women's T20 World Cup scheduled for next year. Every match is an opportunity to fine-tune combinations and assess player form under pressure. India has a historically strong record against Sri Lanka in T20Is, winning 21 out of the 27 completed matches between the two sides. On Indian soil, their dominance is even more pronounced with a 5-2 head-to-head record.
Match Details and How to Watch
The action unfolds on Tuesday, December 23, at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam. The match will begin at 7 PM IST. Fans can catch the live telecast on the Star Sports network. For online viewers, the live streaming will be available on the JioStar app and website.
Expected Lineups for the Crucial Clash
Based on the first game and team strategy, the predicted playing XIs are as follows:
India Women: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Richa Ghosh (WK), Deepti Sharma, Amanjot Kaur, Vaishnavi Sharma, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gaud, Sree Charani.
Sri Lanka Women: Chamari Athapaththu (C), Vishmi Gunaratne, Hasini Perera, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Kavisha Dilhari, Nilakshika De Silva, Kaushini Nuthyangana (WK), Inoka Ranaweera, Kawya Kavindi, Shashini Gimhani, Malki Madara.
With momentum firmly on their side, the Indian team will be eager to continue their winning ways. All eyes will be on in-form players like Jemimah Rodrigues and the bowling unit to deliver another clinical performance and take a firm grip on the series.
