Visakhapatnam, December 23 – Opener Shafali Verma delivered a spectacular, match-winning 69 to guide the Indian women’s cricket team to a comprehensive 7-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the second T20I. Chasing a modest target of 129, India romped home with a staggering 49 balls to spare, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the five-match series.
Verma’s Explosive Innings Sets the Tone
The match was decisively shaped by Shafali Verma’s power-hitting at the top of the order. She launched a brutal assault on the Sri Lankan bowlers, racing to a 29-ball half-century and finishing with 69 runs off just 40 deliveries. Her innings, laced with boundaries, demolished any hope Sri Lanka had of defending their total and set the platform for an emphatic chase.
India’s pursuit began steadily but exploded in the powerplay. Despite the early loss of Smriti Mandhana, Verma, partnered by Jemimah Rodrigues (11 off 8) and later captain Harmanpreet Kaur, maintained a furious pace. The required run rate was never a concern as India reached 113/2 at the 10-over mark, effectively sealing the game before the halfway point of their innings.
Bowlers Lay the Foundation
Earlier, after winning the toss and electing to bowl, India produced a disciplined bowling performance to restrict Sri Lanka to 128/9 in their 20 overs.
The visitors’ innings never gained momentum against a varied Indian attack. Captain Chamari Athapaththu (31 off 24) and Harshitha Samarawickrama (33 off 32) provided brief resistance, but regular wickets stifled their progress. The Indian bowlers shared the spoils, with spinners Shree Charani (2/23) and Vaishnavi Sharma (2 wickets) being the most successful. Sneh Rana, replacing the ill Deepti Sharma, was characteristically economical, conceding only 11 runs from her four overs.
A Statement of Dominance
This victory underscores India’s dominance in the series. The team has successfully implemented a strategy of aggressive batting backed by controlled bowling, leaving Sri Lanka with few answers.
The comprehensive nature of the win—with nearly eight overs to spare—sends a strong message ahead of the remaining matches. For Sri Lanka, finding a way to contain India’s explosive top order, particularly Shafali Verma, will be the primary challenge as the series moves forward.
🏏 Match Summary: India Women vs Sri Lanka Women, 2nd T20I
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Result | India won by 7 wickets (with 49 balls remaining) |
| Series | India lead the 5-match series 2-0 |
| Sri Lanka | 128/9 in 20 overs (Samarawickrama 33, Athapaththu 31; Charani 2/23) |
| India | 129/3 in 11.5 overs (Shafali Verma 69) |
| Player of the Match | Shafali Verma |
