Deepti Sharma Creates History
During the match, Deepti Sharma reached a major milestone. She became the highest wicket-taker in women’s T20I history with 152 wickets, going past Australia’s Megan Schutt
This series win also marked India’s third 5-0 sweep in women’s T20Is. Earlier, India had achieved similar clean sweeps against West Indies in 2019 and Bangladesh in 2024. Only India and England have managed three whitewashes in five-match women’s T20I series.
Sri Lanka Make Early Inroads
Sri Lanka began strongly with the ball, unlike the previous match where India dominated the powerplay. This time, the visitors struck early despite the pitch offering little help to spinners.
Shafali Verma, coming off three successive half-centuries, was dismissed for 5 by Nimisha Meepage, who again troubled her from around the wicket. Soon after, debutant G Kamalini, playing in place of Smriti Mandhana, was trapped lbw while attempting a sweep off Kavisha Dilhari’s first delivery.
India slipped to 40 for 2, their lowest powerplay score of the series. The pressure continued as Harleen Deol was bowled by Rashmika Sewwandi. In the ninth over, Richa Ghosh edged Chamari Athapaththu to the wicketkeeper, leaving India struggling at 64 for 4.
Athapaththu struck again soon after. She deceived Deepti Sharma with flight and pace, forcing a top edge that was caught at short fine leg. India were suddenly 77 for 5.
Harmanpreet Holds the Innings Together
Harmanpreet Kaur walked in during the fifth over with India already two wickets down. She remained calm and anchored the innings as wickets kept falling around her.
The India captain mixed caution with aggression. She brought up her first T20I half-century since October 2024, reaching the landmark in 35 balls. After starting slowly on 10 off 9, she shifted gears with a series of boundaries.
Harmanpreet dominated her battle against left-arm spinner Inoka Ranaweera. She scored 31 runs off 17 balls against her, hitting four fours and a six with excellent control. Her smart footwork against spin allowed her to score freely all around the ground.
Her innings ended in the 18th over when Dilhari’s arm ball sneaked through and clipped the stumps. At that stage, India were 142 for 7.
Lower Order Lifts India to Strong Total
India’s lower order played a vital role in pushing the total beyond par. Amanjot Kaur steadied the innings with a composed 21 off 18 balls. She shared a crucial 61-run stand with Harmanpreet, which helped India recover from the collapse.
After Amanjot’s dismissal, Arundhati Reddy was promoted up the order. She made the most of the opportunity with a late burst, smashing four fours and a six in her unbeaten 27 off just 11 balls.
India added 32 runs in the final two overs and finished on a competitive 175 for 7.
Perera and Dulani Keep Sri Lanka Alive
Sri Lanka’s chase began poorly when Chamari Athapaththu fell in the second over. However, Hasini Perera and Imesha Dulani rebuilt the innings with confidence.
Dulani, promoted to No. 3 again, played fearlessly. She stepped out to the spinners and swept effectively, striking five boundaries inside the powerplay. Perera supported her well by rotating the strike and keeping the run rate steady.
Helped by the dew, the pair added 79 runs for the second wicket. The stand ended in the 12th over when Amanjot Kaur dismissed Dulani for 50 with her very first ball.
Late Collapse Seals Sri Lanka’s Fate
Perera continued the fight and reached her maiden T20I fifty in 38 balls, a milestone that came in her 89th match. She had moved around the batting order over the years and opened the series for the first time in three years.
When Sri Lanka needed 55 runs from 24 balls, Perera hit a four and a six off Shree Charani. However, she was soon dismissed by a sharp yorker. Her 65 off 42 balls included eight fours and a six.
With 44 required from the last 20 balls, India tightened the screws. Sri Lanka lost key wickets at the death and collapsed from 132 for 4 to 140 for 7. They eventually finished on 160 for 7, remaining winless on the tour.
Brief Scorecard
