Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 26 (NationPress) The in-form opener Shafali Verma delivered a stunning performance, scoring an unbeaten 79 runs off 42 deliveries, leading India to an impressive eight-wicket triumph over Sri Lanka in the third T20I of the five-match series. This victory ensured an unassailable 3-0 lead for India at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday.

With Renuka Singh Thakur taking 4 wickets for 21 runs and Deepti Sharma capturing 3 wickets for 18 runs, Sri Lanka was restricted to a mere 112 runs for 7 wickets. Shafali then showcased her extraordinary strokeplay, hitting 11 fours and 3 sixes, leading India to victory with 6.4 overs to spare.

Despite losing her opening partner Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues to Kavisha Dilhari, Shafali's dominance ensured another decisive win for India. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur provided solid support with an unbeaten 21 runs, marking India's fourth consecutive T20I series win over Sri Lanka.

Shafali began the match cautiously, facing three dot balls in the initial over, but quickly turned aggressive against the Sri Lankan bowlers. Her onslaught commenced with a six and a four against Malsha Shehani, followed by more boundaries against Nimesha Madushani.

However, India faced an early setback when vice-captain Smriti Mandhana was trapped lbw by off-spinner Kavisha Dilhari for just one run. Attempting a sweep, she missed the ball, which spun away to hit her front pad, confirming it would have struck the leg stump via ball-tracking.

The left-handed batter reviewed immediately but had to exit the game with another low score, boosting Sri Lanka's morale. As Jemimah struggled initially, Shafali displayed extraordinary driving and lofting skills, reaching her fifty in just 24 balls with a drive past mid-on off Malki Madara.

Kavisha later dismissed Jemimah, who attempted a sweep off a full delivery, resulting in an under-edge that dislodged the bails. With Harmanpreet scoring boundaries through leg-side shots, Shafali ended the chase with a lofted four, securing another commanding victory for India.

In the earlier innings, upon returning to the T20I squad, Renuka and Deepti combined for seven wickets as Sri Lanka’s batting woes continued after being asked to bat first for the third time in the series.

Sri Lanka began well but quickly faltered, with only a 40-run partnership between Imesha Dulani (27) and Kavisha Dilhari (20) offering any resistance. A late contribution from Kaushini Nuthyangana (19 not out) helped them reach a total that was still well below par.

The innings started with Hasini Perera showcasing some drives and sweeps to score four boundaries in the first four overs. Captain Chamari Athapaththu struggled and fell to Deepti, who had her caught easily at mid-off.

Renuka, after a costly opening over, became India’s leading bowler, dismissing Hasini, Harshitha Samarawickrama, and Nilakshika Silva, leaving Sri Lanka at 45/4 in 9.3 overs. Imesha and Kavisha then hit six boundaries in a much-needed partnership.

However, Kavisha was dismissed in the 14th over, caught at deep mid-wicket off Deepti, who became the first cricketer, male or female, to achieve a T20I double of 1000 runs and 150 wickets. Shortly after, Renuka’s slower delivery accounted for Imesha, who was caught at backward point.

With the dismissal of Malsha Shehani, Deepti matched the record for the highest wicket-taker in women’s T20I history, now on 151 wickets alongside Australia’s Megan Schutt. A couple of boundaries from Kaushini towards the end helped Sri Lanka surpass the 110-run mark, which was still insufficient to impede India’s winning momentum.

Brief scores:

Sri Lanka 112/7 in 20 overs (Imesha Dulani 27, Hasini Perera 25; Renuka Singh Thakur 4-21, Deepti Sharma 3-18) lost to India 115/2 in 13.2 overs (Shafali Verma 79 not out, Harmanpreet Kaur 21 not out; Kavisha Dilhari 2-18) by eight wickets.