How Did Shafali and Charani Lead India to a Dominating Victory Over Sri Lanka Women?
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Synopsis
In a remarkable display of skill, Shafali Verma's outstanding 69 not out propelled India Women to a decisive seven-wicket victory over Sri Lanka Women. With 49 balls to spare, the Indian team showcased their dominance, aided by strong bowling performances. This article delves into the match details and the implications for the ongoing T20I series.
Key Takeaways
- Shafali Verma scored an unbeaten 69, leading India to victory.
- India restricted Sri Lanka to 128 for 9 in their innings.
- Shree Charani took 2 wickets and played a crucial role in the bowling attack.
- India achieved their highest score in the first 10 overs in women’s T20Is.
- The series now moves to Thiruvananthapuram for the next match.
Visakhapatnam, Dec 23 (NationPress) Opener Shafali Verma showcased her brilliance with an unbeaten score of 69 as India Women secured a commanding seven-wicket triumph against Sri Lanka Women, concluding the match with 49 balls to spare at the Dr. Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA VDCA Cricket Stadium. This victory propelled India to a 2-0 lead in the five-match T20I series. The Indian bowlers, particularly Shree Charani, established a robust foundation before Shafali clinched the win in style.
Opting to bowl first, India struck early, preventing Sri Lanka from building any momentum. They consistently took wickets, restricting the visitors to 128 for 9 in their allotted 20 overs, an improvement from their 121 in the first T20I. Kranti Gaud continued her impressive form, dismissing Vishmi Gunaratne for just 1 in the opening over, caught off her own follow-through. Despite a few runs slipping early from Arundathi Reddy, the Indian bowlers maintained pressure on Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka managed 39 runs during the Power-play but struggled overall, with captain Chamari Athapaththu being the primary scorer. Athapaththu struck two sixes in her contribution of 31 off 24 balls before falling to Sneh Rana, who was the sole change in the lineup for the second T20I due to Deepti Sharma's absence because of fever. Hasini Perera and Harshitha Samarawickrama steadied the innings by rotating the strike, reaching 66 for 2 by the halfway mark.
As the field opened, Perera found it challenging to reach the boundary and was eventually dismissed for 22 off 28 balls, falling to Shree Charani in the 13th over, concluding their 44-run partnership. Harshitha looked confident, scoring 33 before being run out in the 17th over.
In the end, Sri Lanka couldn't sustain their momentum, losing wickets quickly. Nilakshi de Silva added just 2 runs before being dismissed by Vaishnavi Sharma, who claimed her first T20I wicket, as Sri Lanka concluded at 128 for 9. Shree Charani (2/23) and Vaishnavi Sharma (2-32) were the standout bowlers, with Kranti Gaud (1-21) and Sneh Rana (1-11) contributing one wicket each.
In their reply, Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana launched a strong start for India, accumulating 29 runs before Mandhana departed for 14 off 11 balls. Jemimah Rodrigues took charge next, smashing four fours and a six in her 26 off 15 balls before getting caught by Kawya Kavindi. India raced to 113 in the first 10 overs, marking their highest score ever after the first 10 in women’s T20Is, surpassing the previous record of 111 against Malaysia Women at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou.
Shafali continued her aggressive batting post the Power-play, achieving her 12th T20I fifty in just 27 balls. She ended her innings unbeaten at 69 off 34 balls, which included 11 fours and a six. Harmanpreet Kaur scored 10 off 12 balls before being bowled by Malki Madara when the score was level, and Richa Ghosh then struck the winning run in the 12th over, completing the chase at 129 for 3 in 11.5 overs.
This victory marked India’s second-largest win over Sri Lanka in women’s T20Is in terms of balls remaining, only surpassed by the 69-ball win in Sylhet in 2022. The series now heads to Thiruvananthapuram for the third T20I on Friday, December 26.
Brief scores:
Sri Lanka Women: 128/9 in 20 overs (Harshitha Samarawickrama: 33, Chamari Athapaththu: 32; Shree Charani: 2-23, Vaishnavi Sharma: 2-32) lost to India Women: 129/3 in 11.5 overs (Shafali Verma: 69 not out, Jemimah Rodrigues: 26; Kavisha Dilhari: 1-15) by seven wickets.
Point of View
This victory highlights the growing prowess of Indian women's cricket. The team's ability to perform under pressure and showcase individual talents like Shafali Verma and Shree Charani is commendable. As we witness their journey in this series, it is clear that the future of women's cricket in India is bright, and this match is a testament to their hard work and dedication.
NationPress
23/12/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was the standout player in the match?
Shafali Verma was the standout player, scoring an impressive 69 not out.
What was Sri Lanka's total score?
Sri Lanka scored 128 runs for 9 wickets in their 20 overs.
When is the next match in the series?
The next match is scheduled for December 26 in Thiruvananthapuram.
How many wickets did Shree Charani take?
Shree Charani took 2 wickets for 23 runs.
What does this victory mean for India Women’s cricket?
This victory signifies India's strong position in the T20I series and showcases their competitive edge in women's cricket.
