Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 28 (NationPress) Openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma delivered impressive half-centuries, propelling India to a record total of 221/2. The bowlers then successfully defended this score against a determined Sri Lankan side, sealing a 30-run victory in the fourth women’s T20I at the Greenfield International Stadium on Sunday.

For the first time in the series, India batted first, and the dynamic duo of Smriti and Shafali formed a breathtaking 162-run opening partnership, marking India’s highest first-wicket stand in T20Is. The fans were treated to an exhilarating display as India registered their highest-ever score in T20 cricket. Shafali showcased her exceptional form, scoring 79 runs off 46 balls, her third consecutive half-century, featuring 12 fours and a six. Smriti, taking a measured approach, matched her partner’s intensity with a brilliant 80 runs off 48 deliveries, striking 11 fours and three sixes.

Although both players fell in quick succession, Richa Ghosh provided a strong finish with an unbeaten 40 runs off just 16 balls. Her explosive batting, combined with Harmanpreet Kaur’s 16 not out off 10 balls, helped India add a remarkable 63 runs in the final five overs.

In pursuit of 222, Sri Lanka launched a spirited chase, reaching fifty in merely 3.3 overs, with captain Chamari Athapaththu topping the score with 52 runs. Despite the aggressive intent displayed by all batters, they fell short, concluding their innings at 191/6, which is now their highest total in women’s T20Is.

India faced their first real test of the series, as their bowlers struggled with a wet ball and the fielding was subpar. Vaishnavi Sharma impressed with figures of 2-24 in four overs, while Arundhati Reddy took 2-42. Despite challenges, India’s record batting performance was pivotal in maintaining their unbeaten streak in the series.

India surged to 61/0 at the end of the powerplay, with boundaries flowing freely from Smriti and Shafali’s bats as each over yielded at least two fours. Sri Lankan bowlers struggled to contain the onslaught while captain Chamari rotated her options fruitlessly.

Smriti celebrated a significant milestone during her innings, becoming the fourth woman and second Indian after Mithali Raj to achieve 10,000 international runs. She reached her fifty off 36 balls while Shafali achieved hers in 30 balls.

After a brief slowdown in overs 7-9, where India scored only 14 runs, Shafali and Smriti accelerated, amassing 74 runs in the subsequent five overs. The scoring rate was astonishing: the first 50 runs came in 32 balls, the next 50 in 33 balls, but the final 50 required just 21 deliveries.

Nimasha broke through in the 16th over by dismissing Shafali, while Smriti followed soon after, falling to Malsha.

Richa then unleashed a spectacular performance in the death overs, delivering a rapid-fire knock that included a powerful assault on Kavisha Dilhari in the 19th over — hitting three sixes and a four in four consecutive balls. She and Harmanpreet formed an unbroken 50-run partnership in just 24 balls, propelling India past their previous best of 217/4 against the West Indies.

During the chase, Sri Lanka announced their intentions right from the first ball, with Hasini Perera hitting three boundaries in the opening over against Renuka Singh Thakur. Arundhati Reddy, making her debut in this match, faced a challenging start.

Her first two legal deliveries were dispatched for runs, including a no-ball that yielded 10 runs, as the second over went for 15 runs. India's attempts to halt the flow with spin backfired, as Deepti Sharma leaked 13 runs in her first over, allowing Sri Lanka to reach 43/0.

The opening duo of Hasini and Chamari continued their assault during the powerplay, bringing up Sri Lanka’s fifty in the fourth over. India's breakthrough came in the sixth over when Arundhati dismissed the dangerous Perera for 33 off 20 balls. The opener attempted a big shot but was caught by Harmanpreet Kaur.

This briefly stalled Sri Lanka's momentum, but Chamari and Imesha Dulani steadied the innings through smart strike rotation. At the halfway mark, Sri Lanka was positioned at 95/1, six runs ahead of India’s score at that point.

A moment of fortune came when Imesha was nearly stumped by Richa Ghosh, but the delivery was ruled a no-ball. Chamari reached her fifty off just 31 balls, but just as she looked set for a match-winning innings, she departed for 52 off 37 balls, caught in the deep.

Despite a dropped catch by Deepti, Imesha was run out due to a brilliant throw from Amanjot Kaur. In the next over, Harshitha was stumped by Richa after being deceived by Vaishnavi. The fielding errors continued as Richa missed another stumping, while Smriti dropped a catch at long-on, offering Nilashika Silva and Kavisha Dilhari chances. But Kavisha eventually fell to Arundhati, with a substitute fielder taking the catch after multiple attempts. Although Deepti dropped another catch, she later took a wicket to swing the game back in India’s favor.

Brief scores:

India 221/2 in 20 overs (Smriti Mandhana 80, Shafali Verma 79, Richa Ghosh 40 not out; Malsha Shehani 1-32, Nimasha Madushani 1-40) defeated Sri Lanka 191/6 in 20 overs (Chamari Athapaththu 52, Hasini Perera 33; Vaishnavi Sharma 2-24, Arundhati Reddy 2-42) by 30 runs.