The Indian women's cricket team delivered a commanding performance on Tuesday, securing a comprehensive seven-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the second T20I at Visakhapatnam. The win, achieved with a massive 49 balls to spare, hands the hosts a formidable 2-0 lead in the ongoing five-match series.
Spin Trio Strangles Sri Lankan Batting Line-up
After winning the toss, Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur opted to field first at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium. The decision paid immediate dividends as Kranti Gaud dismissed opener Vishmi Gunaratne in the very first over. Sri Lankan skipper Chamari Athapaththu provided some fight with a quickfire 31 off 24 balls, but her dismissal by Sneh Rana—who replaced the unwell Deepti Sharma—was a crucial blow.
The Indian spinners took complete control of the innings, expertly exploiting the slow surface. Left-arm spinners Shree Charani and Vaishnavi Sharma were particularly effective, picking up two wickets each. While Hasini Perera (22) and Harshitha Samarawickrama (33) stitched together a 44-run stand for the third wicket, the scoring rate was always under check. The spin trio, bowling a combined 12 overs, returned impressive figures of 5 for 66, restricting Sri Lanka to a below-par total of 128 for 9. The visitors managed only 13 boundaries in their entire 20 overs.
Shafali Verma's Explosive Batting Seals the Chase
In reply, India lost Smriti Mandhana early for 14 runs. However, that only set the stage for a breathtaking assault from young opener Shafali Verma. She unleashed a brutal attack on the Sri Lankan bowlers, smashing 36 runs in the powerplay alone. By the end of six overs, India had raced to 68 for 1, effectively ending the contest.
Jemimah Rodrigues, batting at number three, joined the carnage, adding a rapid 58-run partnership with Shafali in just 28 balls. Rodrigues contributed a lively 26 off 15 deliveries before getting out. Shafali, meanwhile, was in a league of her own. She brought up her 12th T20I half-century off a mere 27 balls, displaying a mix of powerful hitting and precise placement.
The Indian team's score of 113 runs in the first 10 overs set a new national record for the highest tally at that stage in Women's T20Is. Shafali remained unbeaten on a magnificent 69 runs from just 34 balls, an innings decorated with 11 fours and a six, as India cruised to the target of 129, finishing at 129 for 3 in only 11.5 overs.
Looking Ahead: Series Momentum with India
With an unassailable lead in the series, the Indian team will be brimming with confidence. The dominant nature of this victory, built on a complete team performance featuring disciplined bowling and explosive batting, sends a strong message. The teams will now travel to Thiruvananthapuram for the third T20I, scheduled for Friday, December 27, where India will aim to extend their winning streak and clinch the series.
