The Indian women's cricket team delivered a commanding performance on Tuesday, securing a comprehensive nine-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the second T20 International at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam. This win gives the hosts an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
Shafali Verma's Blazing Knock Seals the Deal
Chasing a modest target of 138 runs, India's openers made it look effortless. The star of the show was the explosive Shafali Verma, who remained unbeaten on 64 runs off just 34 deliveries. Her innings was a masterclass in power-hitting, decorated with six fours and four towering sixes. She found able support from her captain, Smriti Mandhana, who scored a steady 39 off 34 balls before being dismissed. The pair stitched together a crucial 96-run opening partnership that effectively broke the back of the chase.
Sri Lanka's Batting Struggles Continue
Earlier, after being asked to bat first, the Sri Lankan innings never truly found momentum. The Indian bowling attack, led by the spin duo of Radha Yadav (2/22) and Deepti Sharma (1/19), kept a tight leash on the scoring. Sri Lanka's batters struggled to rotate the strike and build substantial partnerships. Key contributions came from Harshitha Samarawickrama (29) and Hasini Perera (25), but regular wickets prevented them from launching a late assault. They finished their 20 overs at 138 for 6, a total that always seemed below par on a good batting surface.
Clinical Finish and Series Implications
The finishing touches to India's chase were applied by the in-form Richa Ghosh, who smashed a quickfire 21* off 10 balls. Her aggressive intent ensured India crossed the finish line with a whopping 5.2 overs to spare, underlining their dominance. This victory not only seals the series but also provides valuable momentum and game time for the team as they build towards future international commitments. The third and final T20I, now a dead rubber, will be played at the same venue on Thursday, offering Sri Lanka a chance to salvage pride and India an opportunity to experiment.
The comprehensive nature of this win highlights the growing strength and depth of the Indian women's T20 side. With both bat and ball firing in unison, the team has sent a strong message ahead of the series finale.
