In a commanding display of modern T20 cricket, the Indian Women’s team registered a comprehensive seven-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the second T20I of the five-match series on December 23, 2025.
Played at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam, the contest was effectively settled well before its halfway point, with India chasing down Sri Lanka’s modest total of 128 in just 11.5 overs to take a 2–0 lead in the series.
The result was another reminder of the gap that currently exists between the two sides, especially in terms of depth, execution, and sustained intensity. While Sri Lanka have shown in the past that they can challenge India on their day, this match underlined how difficult it has become to consistently match a confident and settled Indian unit.
A rivalry with history, but changing balance
India and Sri Lanka have shared a long-standing rivalry in women’s T20Is, though the numbers heavily favour India, who have won more than 85 percent of the encounters between the two sides. Despite that imbalance, Sri Lanka have had moments that stand out, none more significant than their victory over India in the final of the 2024 Women’s Asia Cup. That triumph, led by Chamari Athapaththu, showed that Sri Lanka are capable of upsetting even the strongest teams when conditions and momentum align.
However, the landscape has shifted since then. India’s triumph at the ODI World Cup has clearly had a carryover effect on their white-ball cricket. The team looks more assured, tactically sharper, and mentally tougher. That confidence has translated into a brand of cricket that leaves very little room for error from the opposition. Sri Lanka, still in a phase of rebuilding and transition, have found it hard to keep pace with that level in recent outings.
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Winning the toss, Harmanpreet Kaur opted to field first, and India’s bowling unit delivered exactly what was required. Even without Deepti Sharma, who was rested due to a mild fever, India showed no signs of vulnerability. The bowling was disciplined, well-planned, and backed by sharp fielding.
Sneh Rana was the standout performer with the ball. Operating with control and clarity, she finished her four overs for just 11 runs and picked up a crucial wicket. Her dismissal of Athapaththu in the sixth over proved to be the turning point of the innings. The Sri Lankan captain had begun to find her timing, scoring 31 off 24 balls, and her removal stalled the momentum just as it threatened to grow.
Sri Lanka’s middle order attempted to rebuild through Harshitha Samarawickrama and Hasini Perera. The pair played responsibly, adding stability and ensuring the innings did not completely unravel. Samarawickrama’s 33 off 32 balls and Perera’s 22 off 28 helped Sri Lanka inch past the 100-run mark. But the lack of acceleration in the middle overs meant the pressure remained firmly on the batting side.
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That pressure eventually told. In the final phase of the innings, Sri Lanka lost six wickets for just 24 runs. India’s young bowlers, Shree Charani and Vaishnavi Sharma, used the conditions intelligently, varying their pace and hitting disciplined lengths. Charani finished with figures of 2 for 23, while Vaishnavi picked up 2 for 32, ensuring Sri Lanka were restricted to 128 for 9 — a total that always looked below par on a surface that eased under lights.
Shafali Verma takes centre stage
If the first half of the match belonged to India’s bowlers, the chase was completely dominated by Shafali Verma. The young opener produced a breathtaking assault, scoring 69 off just 34 deliveries at a strike rate in excess of 200. From the moment she walked out, the intent was clear. Anything marginally off length was punished, and the Sri Lankan bowlers were never allowed to settle.
Her innings was a mix of power and timing, with 11 boundaries and a towering six that summed up the authority with which she batted. Even as Smriti Mandhana departed early and Jemimah Rodrigues fell after a brisk contribution of 26, the run rate barely dipped. India raced to 68 within the powerplay, effectively ending the contest before it could become a chase.
Harmanpreet Kaur joined Shafali briefly, and though the captain was dismissed with the scores level, the outcome was never in doubt. Richa Ghosh struck the winning runs with nearly eight overs to spare, underlining the dominance of India’s performance.
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With the series now moving to Thiruvananthapuram for the final three matches, Sri Lanka face an uphill task to regain momentum. For India, the focus goes beyond the immediate results. These matches are as much about refining combinations and building bench strength as they are about winning.
As preparations quietly build towards the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup in England, performances like this reflect a team that knows its strengths and is learning to impose itself ruthlessly. For now, India look a step ahead composed, confident, and firmly in control of the series.
By- Pari Shukla
