The final week of December 2025 brings with it a familiar subcontinental contest, but one layered with new meaning. India vs Sri Lanka lock horns in a five-match Women’s T20 International series from December 21 to 30, split between Visakhapatnam and Thiruvananthapuram.
On paper, the gap between the two sides remains significant. In reality, this rivalry has evolved into something far more textured shaped by recent upsets, changing tactical identities, and contrasting stages of development.
For India, this is the first T20 assignment at home after their historic ICC Women’s ODI World Cup triumph earlier in the year. For Sri Lanka, it is another step in a deliberate rebuilding journey, fuelled by the belief earned from their landmark Asia Cup victory in 2024.
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India enter the series as world champions and the undisputed heavyweight of women’s cricket in Asia. Their calendar over the past two years has been relentless but rewarding, producing a side that combines experience, tactical clarity and enviable depth. Every bilateral now doubles as preparation for the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup, and this series offers India the opportunity to fine-tune combinations, manage workloads and test bench strength without sacrificing competitiveness.
Sri Lanka approach the tour with different objectives. While results matter, the broader focus is on exposure and evolution. Matches against India remain the most reliable benchmark for Sri Lanka to assess where their transition stands particularly against a side that dominates spin, controls the middle overs, and finishes games with ruthless efficiency.
Harmanpreet Kaur leads India, with Smriti Mandhana as her deputy, forming one of the most stable leadership cores in women’s cricket. The squad largely reflects continuity, retaining players who have delivered consistently across formats. Deepti Sharma remains central to India’s balance an all-rounder who shapes games quietly but decisively through middle-overs control and finishing ability.
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Sri Lanka are once again captained by Chamari Athapaththu, the heartbeat of the side and its most influential match-winner. Around her, the squad blends senior experience with emerging talent, underlining Sri Lanka Cricket’s long-term focus. This series is as much about discovering who can shoulder responsibility alongside Chamari as it is about challenging India.
Form guide and head-to-head
India’s recent form speaks for itself. Bilateral success, a world title, and sustained dominance across conditions have reinforced their status. Their T20 game has evolved into a high-intent model, with aggressive powerplays, flexible middle-order roles and specialist death-over plans.
Sri Lanka, meanwhile, have made steady gains in T20 cricket. Consistency remains elusive, but performances against stronger teams have grown more competitive. The Asia Cup triumph in July 2024, where Sri Lanka defeated India in the final, remains a defining moment proof that on the right day, with the right execution, the gap can be bridged.
Historically, India dominate the rivalry, leading the Women’s T20I head-to-head 20–5. Yet numbers alone no longer tell the full story. Sri Lanka’s Asia Cup success ensured that this series carries an edge of unfinished business.
Venues and conditions
The opening two matches in Visakhapatnam are expected to favour batters, especially early on. The surface typically offers true bounce, allowing stroke-makers to play through the line. As games progress, spinners tend to come into play, while evening dew could influence chasing sides.
Thiruvananthapuram, hosting the final three matches, presents a different challenge. The Greenfield Stadium often provides good pace and bounce, with early assistance for seamers under lights. High humidity and coastal conditions may also bring swing into play, placing a premium on disciplined powerplay bowling.
Key tactical match-ups
Several battles will shape the series. India’s top order against Sri Lanka’s spin attack through the middle overs will be central, particularly as Sri Lanka look to slow scoring and force errors. Chamari Athapaththu versus India’s new-ball bowlers is another decisive contest early breakthroughs remain Sri Lanka’s best route into matches.
Powerplay bowling strategies will be crucial on both sides. Swing and seam, rather than sheer pace or bounce, are likely to dictate success, especially under lights. In the middle overs, both teams will lean heavily on spin and all-round options to control tempo and deny momentum.
Players to watch
For India, Harmanpreet Kaur’s leadership and finishing ability remain pivotal, while Smriti Mandhana’s consistency at the top sets the tone. Jemimah Rodrigues continues to be India’s most adaptable batter through the middle, and Deepti Sharma’s all-round influence gives India unmatched control.
Sri Lanka’s hopes rest largely on Chamari Athapaththu, but support acts are increasingly important. Kavisha Dilhari’s growth as an all-rounder, Inoshi Fernando’s discipline with the ball, and the presence of 17-year-old ambidextrous spinner Shashini Gimhani add intrigue. Gimhani, in particular, offers an element of mystery that could test India’s batters if conditions assist turn.
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India begin as clear favourites, backed by home advantage, depth and experience. A series win is expected, but the margins and the nature of Sri Lanka’s resistance will matter. For Sri Lanka, competitiveness across five matches is the immediate target, along with identifying players who can consistently perform at this level.
This five-match series is more than a routine bilateral. For India, it is about sustaining standards and refining a championship-winning machine. For Sri Lanka, it is about belief, exposure and progress. While India’s dominance remains the likely narrative, Sri Lanka’s recent breakthroughs ensure that this rivalry is no longer predictable and that, in itself, makes this December contest worth watching.
India women’s cricket team: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma, Harleen Deol, Amanjot Kaur, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gaud, Renuka Singh Thakur, Richa Ghosh (wk), G Kamalini (wk), Sree Charani, Vaishnavi Sharma.
