The Indian women's cricket team delivered a batting masterclass at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday, posting their highest-ever T20 International total of 221 for 2. The dominant performance, spearheaded by a historic opening partnership, paved the way for a 30-run victory over Sri Lanka, giving India an unassailable 4-0 lead in the five-match series.
Record-Breaking Opening Onslaught
After being asked to bat first, Indian openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma unleashed a breathtaking assault on the Sri Lankan bowlers. The duo forged a monumental 174-run partnership, which is now the highest stand for any wicket in Indian women's T20I history, surpassing the previous record of 143 runs.
Shafali Verma set the tone with her characteristic audacity, scoring a blistering 79 runs off just 46 balls. She peppered the off-side with powerful drives and cleared the infield with ease, showcasing fearless intent from the outset.
At the other end, Smriti Mandhana roared back to form in spectacular fashion. After a quiet run in the series, she played a sublime innings of 80 runs from 48 deliveries. Her knock was a blend of elegance and power, featuring 11 fours and 3 sixes, as she found gaps effortlessly and punished any loose bowling.
Sri Lanka's Valiant Chase Falls Short
Faced with a mammoth target of 222, Sri Lanka, for the first time in the series, showed serious fight. Led by skipper Chamari Athapaththu's authoritative 52 and a fearless 20-ball 33 from Hasini Perera, the visitors put India under genuine pressure.
Useful contributions came from Harshitha Samarawickrama (20), Imesha Dulani (29), and others. India's fielding, which included four dropped catches and a missed stumping, allowed Sri Lanka to remain competitive deep into the chase. However, the required run rate proved too steep, and the visitors were eventually bowled out for 191, falling short by 30 runs.
Finishing Flourish and Series Dominance
After the openers departed, the Indian middle order ensured there was no slowdown. Richa Ghosh provided a spectacular finishing touch, hammering 40 runs from a mere 16 balls. Along with captain Harmanpreet Kaur, she propelled India past the 200-run mark, setting up the record total.
The comprehensive victory underscores India's dominance in the series. Speaking after the match, Smriti Mandhana revealed the simple plan behind the record stand: "We just tell each other to watch the ball. We wanted to keep Shafali on strike, as she wanted to hit every ball for six." The focus now shifts to the final match, where India will aim for a clean sweep.
