How Did Indian Bowlers Restrict Sri Lanka to 121/6 in the 1st T20I?
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Synopsis
In an exciting opening to the women's T20I series, Indian bowlers excelled, restricting Sri Lanka to a mere 121 runs, showcasing their skill and strategy on the field. Discover the highlights and key performances from this thrilling encounter!
Key Takeaways
- Indian bowlers restricted Sri Lanka to 121 runs.
- Kranti Gaud claimed her first T20I wicket.
- Vishmi Gunaratne was the standout performer for Sri Lanka.
- Indian team showed trust in experienced players.
- Sri Lanka introduced several young talents.
Visakhapatnam, Dec 21 (NationPress) The Indian bowling unit delivered an impressive display, limiting Sri Lanka to a mere 121/6 in their 20 overs during the inaugural match of the five-match women's T20I bilateral series at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
After winning the toss, skipper Harmanpreet Kaur chose to field, marking their first match since clinching the Women's ODI World Cup in Navi Mumbai. The Indian bowlers expertly contained the Sri Lankan batters despite some fielding errors, including dropped catches and misfields, as the 50-over World Champions grappled to adapt to the shorter format after a significant hiatus.
Sri Lanka struggled similarly, losing their captain Chamari Athapaththu for 15 off 12 balls, managing only 31/1 in the Power-play. Athapaththu hit three boundaries before Kranti Gaud bowled her, marking Gaud's first wicket in Women's T20I.
Although debutant spinner Vaishavi Sharma did not take a wicket, she only conceded 16 runs in her four overs, effectively tying up the Sri Lankan batting. Deepti Sharma was even more economical, allowing just 10 runs in three overs, while N Shree Charani was less effective, with figures of 1-30 in four overs, including two dropped catches.
The spinners performed well during the middle overs, showcasing India's experience. The wickets for India were shared among Kranti Gaud (1-23), Deepti Sharma (1-20), and N. Shree Charani (1-30).
Vishmi Gunaratne emerged as the lone fighter for Sri Lanka, scoring a sluggish 39 off 43 balls with one four and a six before being run out due to a fine effort by Kranti Gaud. Gunaratne formed a 38-run partnership with Harshitha Samarawickrama, but once Samarawickrama fell, Sri Lanka's batting began to collapse.
Although Hasini Perera (20 off 23) and Harshitha Samarawickrama (21 off 23) got off to decent starts, they couldn't build on them. Nevertheless, they helped the team surpass three figures, albeit lacking in big hitting.
Both teams approached the match with differing selection strategies. India relied on familiar faces from their victorious 50-over World Cup squad, while Sri Lanka introduced several young talents as both teams searched for optimal combinations ahead of the Women's T20 World Cup scheduled for 2026.
Brief Scores:
Sri Lanka Women 121/6 in 20 overs (Vishmi Gunaratne 39, Harshitha Samarawickrama 21; Kranti Gaud 1-23, Deepti Sharma 1-20, N. Shree Charani 1-30) against India Women
Point of View
This match highlights the ongoing evolution of women's cricket, where teams like India are building on their successes, while Sri Lanka is in a phase of rebuilding with young talent. It's crucial for the development of the sport that both teams continue to adapt and improve, especially with the upcoming Women's T20 World Cup on the horizon.
NationPress
23/12/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of the match?
Sri Lanka Women scored 121 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in their 20 overs.
Who was the top scorer for Sri Lanka?
Vishmi Gunaratne was the top scorer for Sri Lanka, making 39 runs off 43 balls.
Which Indian bowler performed best?
Deepti Sharma had an outstanding bowling performance, conceding only 10 runs in three overs.
What was the venue of the match?
The match was held at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam.
When did the match take place?
The match took place on December 21.
