The Indian women's cricket team delivered a spectacular and utterly dominant performance, crushing Sri Lanka by a massive 10-wicket margin in the first match of their bilateral series. The one-sided contest unfolded at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam on Monday, December 23, 2024, setting a powerful tone for the home side.
Bowlers Set the Stage for a Rout
After winning the toss and opting to bowl first, the Indian attack, led by the experienced Jhulan Goswami, immediately put the visitors on the back foot. The Sri Lankan batters struggled to build any substantial partnerships against a disciplined and penetrating bowling performance. The Indian bowlers shared the wickets effectively, restricting Sri Lanka to a paltry total of all out for 125 runs. The low score on the board reflected the pressure applied by the hosts from the very first over.
Jemimah Rodrigues Steers the Chase with Flair
Chasing a modest target of 126, the Indian opening pair of Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues made it look effortless. There was no sign of pressure as the duo attacked the Sri Lankan bowling from the outset. Jemimah Rodrigues, in particular, was in sublime touch, playing a wide array of strokes all around the ground. She remained unbeaten on a brilliant 58 runs off just 49 balls, an innings decorated with 9 boundaries. At the other end, Smriti Mandhana provided solid support with an unbeaten 45.
The Indian openers chased down the target in a mere 18.2 overs, without losing a single wicket. This emphatic victory highlighted the vast gulf in class and execution between the two sides on the day. The comprehensive nature of the win—by 10 wickets—sends a strong message for the remainder of the series.
Key Takeaways and Series Implications
This resounding victory provides a massive confidence boost to the Indian team as they build momentum. The form of Jemimah Rodrigues at the top of the order is a major positive, while the bowling unit's ability to bowl out the opposition cheaply is encouraging. For Sri Lanka, the defeat exposes areas that need urgent attention, particularly their batting resilience against a quality attack.
The match in Visakhapatnam has set the stage for an intriguing series, but India has firmly placed itself in the driver's seat. The teams will now look ahead to the subsequent matches, with Sri Lanka needing a remarkable turnaround to challenge the dominant hosts.
