India Women continued their emphatic dominance over Sri Lanka Women with a seven-wicket victory in the second T20I at Visakhapatnam on December 23, 2025, racing to a 2–0 lead in the five-match series.
Chasing a modest target of 129, India reached the mark in just 11.5 overs, finishing at 129/3, with Shafali Verma producing a blistering unbeaten 69 off 34 balls to earn the Player of the Match award.
The result followed a familiar script from the series opener. In the first T20I, it was Jemimah Rodrigues’ unbeaten 69 that guided India home. In the second, Shafali replicated the feat with an identical scoreline, adding to the sense of déjà vu for Sri Lanka, who were once again undone by India’s disciplined bowling and a ruthless top-order chase. Even the run-out count echoed the previous game, with Sri Lanka losing three wickets in the same fashion, underlining their growing frustration under pressure.
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Sri Lanka were put in to bat and suffered an early setback when Vishmi Gunaratne was dismissed in the opening over by Kranti Gaud, chipping a return catch to the bowler. Chamari Athapaththu, Sri Lanka’s captain and batting linchpin, responded with intent, attacking from the outset and lifting the scoring rate during the powerplay. She struck the ball cleanly down the ground and through the leg side, racing to 31 off 24 balls and briefly giving Sri Lanka momentum.
However, once again, India’s spinners tightened the screws through the middle overs. With Deepti Sharma sidelined due to a mild fever her first missed T20I since 2019 Sneh Rana stepped into the control role seamlessly. Rana’s four overs went for just 11 runs and included the crucial wicket of Athapaththu, who mistimed a lofted shot to long-off after being deceived by flight and dip.
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Left-arm spinners Vaishnavi Sharma and N Shree Charani complemented Rana perfectly, picking up two wickets apiece. Charani broke a left-handed partnership by dismissing Hasini Perera, while Vaishnavi claimed her first international wickets, a moment that drew visible smiles from teammates and coaching staff alike. The trio ensured Sri Lanka’s innings lost all momentum after the ninth over.
Sri Lanka’s middle order, despite showing flashes of intent through Harshitha Samarawickrama and Hasini Perera, struggled to find boundaries once the field spread. After hitting 11 boundaries in the first nine overs, Sri Lanka managed just two fours in the remainder of the innings. Three run-outs involving sharp work from Richa Ghosh and the inner-ring fielders compounded their troubles as they slid from a position of promise to 128/9.
A Chase Made to Look Effortless
India’s reply began positively with Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma setting the tone. Mandhana struck a crisp six and a couple of boundaries before falling for 14, caught at point while trying to take on offspinner Kaveesha Dilhari. That wicket did little to slow India down.
Shafali, who had missed out in the first game, initially played with restraint, assessing the pitch and conditions. Once set, she shifted gears decisively. Her assault on Inoka Ranaweera during the powerplay marked by elegant lofted drives over cover signalled India’s intent to finish the chase quickly.
The defining over came against Chamari Athapaththu’s offspin. Shafali swept one through square leg for four, followed it with a towering straight six, and then pierced the off side for another boundary. The over all but ended Sri Lanka’s hopes of mounting a comeback. Jemimah Rodrigues provided ideal support, rotating strike smartly before unleashing a flurry of boundaries of her own. Her 26 off 15 balls ensured Sri Lanka’s bowlers had no breathing space. Although Rodrigues eventually holed out attempting to maintain the tempo, the damage had already been done.
Shafali brought up her half-century from just 27 balls, blending power with improved shot selection. A well-timed single down the ground and calm decision-making stood out as much as the boundaries. She later explained her approach, noting that the ball was holding up early and that she focused on scoring straight before expanding her range once conditions eased.
Harmanpreet Kaur fell trying an audacious lap shot, but by then India were within touching distance. Richa Ghosh sealed the win with a single, completing a chase at nearly 11 runs an over with 49 balls to spare.
A Statement Start to the Series
The 2–0 lead at the end of the Visakhapatnam leg underlines the gulf between the sides in women’s T20Is. Despite Sri Lanka showing better intent compared to the first match, India’s bowling depth and batting firepower proved overwhelming. For India, the series so far has highlighted flexibility and depth. Even without Deepti Sharma, the bowling unit maintained control, while the top order has produced back-to-back dominant performances. For Sri Lanka, Chamari Athapaththu’s post-match admission summed it up: the batters failed to make use of favourable conditions once again.
The series now moves to Thiruvananthapuram for the remaining three matches, with India firmly in control and Sri Lanka searching for answers against an Indian side that has looked both clinical and confident in all departments.
