Indian Women continued their commanding run in the T20I series against Sri Lanka with an emphatic eight-wicket victory in the third match, completing the chase of 113 in just 13.2 overs.
The result underlined India’s superiority across departments and was anchored by a dominant innings from Shafali Verma, whose unbeaten 79 off 42 balls made the contest one-sided long before the finish. Sri Lanka, batting first, managed 112 for 7 in their allotted 20 overs, a total that never looked sufficient once India’s openers took charge. The visitors struggled to build momentum through the innings, with regular wickets and controlled bowling from India preventing any sustained partnerships.
Renuka Singh was the standout performer with the ball for India. Bowling with pace and discipline, she finished with figures of 4 for 21, consistently breaking Sri Lanka’s rhythm. Her early breakthroughs set the tone, forcing Sri Lanka into a cautious approach that limited boundary options during the powerplay. While Imesha Dulani top-scored with 27 off 32 balls, her innings lacked acceleration, a reflection of the pressure applied by India’s bowling unit.
Sri Lanka’s middle order attempted to stabilise the innings, but the absence of a significant partnership meant they were restricted to singles and twos for long phases. Kavisha Dilhari’s contribution of 18 runs came at a time when Sri Lanka were searching for impetus, but wickets at regular intervals ensured they could not push beyond the 120-mark. The innings closed at 112 for 7, a total that left little margin for error against India’s batting depth.
India’s response was decisive. Shafali Verma set the tone immediately, attacking from the outset and ensuring the required rate never became a factor. Her innings was built on clean striking and sharp placement, particularly against the new ball, which she handled with authority. The tempo she established effectively ended the contest inside the first six overs.
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India reached 115 for 2 in just 13.2 overs, completing the chase with more than six overs to spare. Shafali’s 79 came off 42 deliveries, an innings that combined power with control and left Sri Lanka’s bowlers with few answers. She targeted both pace and spin, using the depth of the crease and quick footwork to disrupt lengths.
The support around her was largely incidental, given the speed at which the runs were scored. India lost only two wickets in the chase, and the calm with which they closed out the game reflected a side in complete control of the series. There was no panic, no need for consolidation, and no sign of pressure at any stage of the pursuit.
From Sri Lanka’s perspective, the bowling effort lacked penetration. While they managed to pick up two wickets, they were unable to apply sustained pressure or force India into errors. The absence of early breakthroughs proved costly, particularly against an opener in form and intent on dominating the powerplay.
The match followed a familiar pattern seen throughout the series. India’s bowlers have consistently restricted Sri Lanka to below-par totals, and the batters have responded with aggressive, efficient chases. The third T20I was no exception, reinforcing the gap between the two sides in terms of execution and depth.
Renuka Singh’s four-wicket haul stood out not only for the numbers but for its impact. Her spells disrupted Sri Lanka’s batting plans and ensured that any attempt to rebuild was quickly curtailed. By the time Sri Lanka reached the latter stages of their innings, they were already playing catch-up.
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Shafali Verma’s performance, meanwhile, was a reminder of her value at the top of the order. Her ability to convert starts into match-defining innings has become a key asset for India in the T20 format. The clarity in her approach was evident, as she focused on boundary options early and maintained the same intent throughout the chase.
The eight-wicket margin reflected India’s dominance accurately. With the target achieved in 13.2 overs, the net run rate boost further strengthened India’s position in the series. More importantly, the match showcased India’s growing consistency in T20 cricket, where results are increasingly being decided well before the final overs. As the series progresses, this performance will be remembered as another comprehensive display from a side that has controlled proceedings from start to finish. India’s blend of disciplined bowling and aggressive batting has left Sri Lanka with limited room to compete, and the third T20I served as a clear example of that gap.
For India, the result reinforces their momentum and depth, while for Sri Lanka, it highlights areas that require immediate attention, particularly in building innings and finding early breakthroughs with the ball.
On the night, however, the story belonged to Shafali Verma’s bat and Renuka Singh’s spell, which together ensured a straightforward and commanding victory.
