The Indian women's cricket team kicked off their T20I series against Sri Lanka with a commanding performance, securing a comprehensive eight-wicket victory in the first match. The win, achieved on 21 December 2025, was set up by a dominant bowling display and sealed by a brilliant, unbeaten knock from star batter Jemimah Rodrigues.
Rodrigues' Masterclass Seals the Chase
Chasing a modest target set by Sri Lanka, India's reply was anchored by the fluent Jemimah Rodrigues. She played a chanceless innings, mixing deft touches with powerful strokes to keep the scoreboard ticking. While her entire stay at the crease was a display of high-class batting, one particular moment stood out as the defining passage of the match.
The Over That Broke the Game
The highlight of Rodrigues' innings came against left-arm wrist spinner Shashini Gimhani. In a single over, the Indian batter unleashed her full array of shots, striking the bowler for four boundaries. This assault not only accelerated the run rate dramatically but also completely shifted the momentum in India's favour, leaving the Sri Lankan bowling attack with no answers.
Rodrigues' calculated aggression ensured that the Indian chase never faced any hiccups. Her partnership with other top-order batters navigated the early phase comfortably before she took center stage to finish the job with plenty of overs to spare.
A Clinical All-Round Performance
While Rodrigues' batting rightfully grabbed the headlines, the victory was built on a solid team effort. The Indian bowlers set the stage early by restricting the Sri Lankan batters, taking wickets at regular intervals to prevent any substantial partnerships. This disciplined effort in the field meant the hosts were always ahead in the game from the first innings onwards.
The comprehensive nature of this eight-wicket win sends a strong message at the start of the series. It underscores the team's depth and form, providing positive momentum for the upcoming matches.
This victory in the first women's T20I gives India a crucial 1-0 lead in the series. The performance, particularly the fearlessness shown by Jemimah Rodrigues, will boost the team's confidence immensely as they look to build on this success and clinch the series in the forthcoming games.
