India Women crushed Sri Lanka Women by 97 runs in the final match of the ODI Tri-Series at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. India posted a total of 342/7 on the scoreboard, powered by a blazing century from Smriti Mandhana, a useful contribution from Harleen Deol, and a quickfire 44 by Jemimah Rodrigues. In response, the Sri Lankan top order showed some resistance but could not hold out for long against Sneh Rana (4/38 in 9.2 overs) and Amanjot Kaur (3/54 in 8 overs). Chamari Athapaththu played a well-made half-century during the chase.

India Set the Tone with a Huge Score

Smriti Mandhana led India’s charge. She scored her 11th ODI hundred—and her first against Sri Lanka. First, she shared a 70-run opening stand with Pratika Rawal. Then, she added 120 more runs with Harleen Deol. By the 33rd over, India had already reached 190. Later, Deol, Harmanpreet Kaur, and Jemimah Rodrigues all added useful runs in the 40s. Furthermore, India accelerated in the last 10 overs, smashing 90 runs to cross the 340 mark.

Sri Lanka Missed Early Chances

Early on, Sri Lanka failed to capitalize on key opportunities. For instance, Rawal could have been out in the third ball. However, Harshitha Samarawickrama dropped the catch. Similarly, Mandhana offered two chances but survived. She soon took control. After smashing the first ball of Chamari Athapaththu’s over for six, Mandhana reached her fifty with a sweep to backward square. In fact, she scored 34 runs each on both the leg and off sides, showing smart use of footwork. Consequently, she dominated the second-wicket stand, scoring 80 runs to Deol’s 37. Mandhana especially attacked Athapaththu and Vihanga. She hammered four consecutive sweeps to bring up her century off just 92 balls. Eventually, Sri Lanka removed her when she sliced to point. Samarawickrama held on this time. Soon after, Vihanga dismissed Deol and claimed her 11th wicket in the series, temporarily tying with Sneh Rana.

India Finish Strong with the Bat

Harmanpreet and Rodrigues then continued the attack. Together, they added 48 runs in just 32 balls. However, both batters fell while attempting big hits. Harmanpreet top-edged a sweep and got caught at short fine. Meanwhile, Rodrigues was caught at long-on. Finally, Deepti Sharma ended the innings with a brisk 20 off 14 balls.

Bowlers Seal the Win for India

India struck early in the defense. Amanjot Kaur bowled Hasini Perera in her very first over. Therefore, Sri Lanka were reduced to 0 for 1. Soon after, Athapaththu came in and hit Amanjot for boundaries. Although her intent was clear, she couldn’t keep up the pace. She and Vishmi Gunaratne added 68 runs. However, the required run rate kept climbing. Then, Amanjot returned and dismissed Gunaratne with a clever delivery. Athapaththu, meanwhile, increased her scoring rate. She reached her 19th ODI half-century off 63 balls. But earlier, she had offered a return catch to Rana, who dropped it and seemed injured. Regardless, Rana returned and had the last word. She bowled Athapaththu with a full ball that went under the bat. At that point, Sri Lanka were 121 for 3 after 24 overs. They still needed 222 more runs—an impossible task from there.

Late Resistance Ends in Collapse

Samarawickrama tried to fight back. She scored 26 off 32 balls but fell to Amanjot. Then, Rana took her second wicket as Silva holed out at long-off. After that, Kumari and Sanjeewani tried to delay the inevitable. They added 47 runs in 53 balls. Eventually, a run-out and two late wickets from Rana ended the innings. She finished with 4 for 38 and became the leading wicket-taker of the series.