The Indian women's cricket team delivered a commanding performance to complete a clean sweep in the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka. The decisive victory came in the third and final match at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday, December 26, 2024. Under the leadership of stand-in captain Smriti Mandhana, the hosts chased down the target with ease, winning by seven wickets and more than three overs to spare.
Clinical Bowling Restricts Sri Lanka
After winning the toss and opting to bowl first, the Indian bowlers put on a disciplined show. They successfully restricted the Sri Lankan batting lineup to a modest total of 118 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in their allotted 20 overs. The Indian bowling attack worked as a cohesive unit, with spinners and pacers alike maintaining tight lines and claiming wickets at regular intervals. This early pressure ensured the visitors never gained the momentum needed to post a challenging score on the board.
Mandhana and Rodrigues Steer Comfortable Chase
The Indian run chase began on a positive note, with openers providing a stable start. The innings was anchored beautifully by the experienced duo of Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues. Both batters played sensible cricket, rotating the strike and finding boundaries when opportunities arose. Their partnership took the sting out of the Sri Lankan bowling attack and laid a solid foundation for the win. Although both departed after making significant contributions, their work had virtually sealed the match for India.
The middle order, featuring the returning captain Harmanpreet Kaur, calmly guided the team past the finish line. The winning runs were hit with 19 balls remaining, underlining the dominance of the Indian side throughout the contest. The comprehensive nature of the victory highlighted the gulf in class and execution between the two teams in this series decider.
A Statement Series Win for India
This 3-0 series whitewash serves as a powerful statement from the Indian women's team. Playing without their regular captain Harmanpreet Kaur for the first two matches, the team showcased its depth and adaptability. Smriti Mandhana's leadership was praised, and the team's all-round performance with both bat and ball was consistent across all three fixtures.
The victory at the Greenfield International Stadium caps off a successful year for the team and provides strong momentum heading into future assignments. For Sri Lanka, the series exposed areas needing improvement, particularly in building competitive totals under pressure against a top-quality bowling attack. The Indian team will look to carry this winning confidence into their next international engagement.
