How Did Renuka's Four Wickets and Deepti's Stellar Performance Help India Limit Sri Lanka to 112/7?
Synopsis
In a thrilling contest, Renuka Singh Thakur's sensational four-wicket haul, alongside Deepti Sharma's pivotal three wickets, played a crucial role in restricting Sri Lanka to a mere 112 runs. Will India chase down the target effortlessly and seal the series?
Key Takeaways
Renuka Singh Thakur marked her return with a four-wicket haul.
Deepti Sharma reached a milestone of 151 T20I wickets.
Sri Lanka struggled to build partnerships.
India looks set to chase a modest target comfortably.
The match showcases India’s bowling depth.
Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 26 (NationPress) Fast bowler Renuka Singh Thakur made a remarkable comeback to the T20I squad by claiming four wickets, leading India to restrict Sri Lanka to just 112/7 in the third match of the five-game series held at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday.
Renuka concluded her impressive spell with figures of 4-21, marking her fourth four-wicket haul in T20Is, while all-rounder Deepti Sharma also shone brightly, taking 3-18, as Sri Lanka continued to struggle with the bat after being put in to bat first for the third match in a row.
The Sri Lankan innings started positively; however, it quickly fell apart, with only a 40-run partnership between Imesha Dulani (27) and Kavisha Dilhari (20) providing any significant resistance. Late contributions from Kaushini Nuthyangana (19 not out) helped Sri Lanka reach a total that was below par.
Initially, Hasini Perera brought some excitement with four boundaries in the first four overs. However, captain Chamari Athapaththu faltered under pressure and fell to Deepti, who took a simple catch at mid-off.
Renuka, after a costly opening over, emerged as the standout bowler for India, dismissing Hasini, Harshitha Samarawickrama, and Nilakshika Silva, leaving Sri Lanka at 45/4 in 9.3 overs. The partnership between Imesha and Kavisha included six boundaries but was insufficient to stabilize the innings.
Kavisha, however, fell in the 14th over, caught out at deep mid-wicket off Deepti, who made history as the first cricketer, male or female, to achieve the double of 1000 runs and 150 wickets in T20Is. Shortly thereafter, Renuka's slower delivery led to the dismissal of Imesha, who was caught at backward point.
With the fall of Malsha Shehani, Deepti equaled the record for the most wickets in women's T20I history, tying with Australia's Megan Schutt at 151 wickets. Despite a couple of late boundaries from Kaushini, Sri Lanka ended their innings below the 110-run mark. India is anticipated to chase down this modest target easily, having already secured victories in the first two matches and clinching the series.
Brief scores:
Sri Lanka Women 112/7 in 20 overs (Imesha Dulani 27, Hasini Perera 25; Renuka Singh Thakur 4-21, Deepti Sharma 3-18) against India Women
Point of View
This match demonstrates India's formidable bowling strength and resilience. The performances of Renuka and Deepti not only highlight their individual talents but also reflect the team's depth in T20 cricket. As India looks to secure the series, the focus remains on their ability to maintain this momentum in upcoming matches.
NationPress
12 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the standout players in the match?
The standout players were Renuka Singh Thakur with 4 wickets and Deepti Sharma with 3 wickets.
What was Sri Lanka's total score?
Sri Lanka scored 112 runs for the loss of 7 wickets.
Where was the match played?
The match was played at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram.
How many matches are in the series?
The series consists of five matches.
