In a nail-biting finale that lived up to its billing, the Indian women's cricket team, led by a composed Harmanpreet Kaur, scripted history by completing a clean sweep 5-0 victory in the T20I series against Sri Lanka. The thrilling five-wicket win in the fifth and final match at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Wednesday cemented India's dominance throughout the tour.
A Tense Chase and a Captain's Knock
Chasing a modest target of 136 set by Sri Lanka, the Indian innings encountered unexpected turbulence. The top order, including the in-form Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma, fell relatively cheaply, putting pressure on the middle order. At 73 for 3 in the 12th over, the game was intriguingly poised.
This is where skipper Harmanpreet Kaur stepped up, playing a captain's innings that blended caution with aggression. Her unbeaten 42 runs off just 34 balls was the cornerstone of the chase. She found a crucial partner in Richa Ghosh (21 off 18), and their partnership steadied the ship before guiding India close to the finish line.
Sri Lanka's Valiant Fight and India's Clinical Bowling
Earlier, after being asked to bat first, the Sri Lankan batters put up a fighting total of 135 for 6 in their 20 overs. Opener Vishmi Gunaratne played a solid hand, scoring 45 runs off 50 deliveries. Hasini Perera provided late impetus with a quickfire 21 off 15 balls. For India, the bowling was disciplined and effective.
Pacer Pooja Vastrakar was the standout performer, claiming 2 wickets for just 20 runs in her four overs, effectively stifling the run flow during the middle phase. Spinner Radha Yadav also chipped in with two wickets, while Deepti Sharma and Asha Sobhana took one each, showcasing a strong team bowling effort.
Sealing the Historic Whitewash
The final overs of the chase were tense. With Harmanpreet holding one end firm, India needed 10 runs off the last 12 balls. The captain coolly dispatched a boundary in the penultimate over to ease the nerves. Despite a late wicket, Harmanpreet ensured there were no further hiccups, hitting the winning runs with five balls to spare.
This victory marks a comprehensive 5-0 series whitewash for the Indian women's team, a significant achievement in away conditions. The series saw consistent performances across all departments, with different players rising to the occasion in each match.
The triumph in Dambulla caps off a highly successful T20I leg of the tour, providing immense confidence to the team as they build towards future international fixtures. The focus now shifts to the three-match ODI series, where India will look to continue their winning momentum.
