Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 28 (NationPress) Smriti Mandhana delivered a stunning performance, scoring 80 runs off 48 balls, while Shafali Verma maintained her excellent form with 79 runs off 46 balls, marking her third consecutive half-century in this series. This remarkable display propelled India to a monumental 221/2, their highest total in women's T20I history, against Sri Lanka during the fourth T20I at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday.

For the first time in the series, India batted first, and Smriti and Shafali set the stage with a sensational 162-run opening partnership, India's highest for the first wicket in T20Is.

Shafali's remarkable form continued as she recorded her third fifty, featuring 12 fours and a six. Smriti took her time to settle in but matched her partner's scoring pace, hitting 11 fours and three sixes. Although both players fell in consecutive overs, Richa Ghosh finished strongly with an impressive 40 not out off 16 balls. Together with Harmanpreet Kaur, who scored 16 not out off 10 balls, they added 63 runs in the final five overs.

Sri Lanka, eager to bowl first throughout the series, managed to take only two wickets through Malsha Shehani and Nimasha Madushani. They now face the tough challenge of chasing down 222 runs, relying heavily on Chamari Athapaththu, who is playing her 150th T20I.

India raced to 61/0 by the end of the powerplay, with boundaries flowing from both batsmen as every over produced at least two fours. The Sri Lankan bowlers struggled to regain control, with Chamari incessantly trying different strategies.

During her innings, Smriti achieved a significant milestone, becoming the fourth woman and the second Indian after Mithali Raj to surpass 10,000 international runs. Both players reached their fifties, with Smriti's in 36 balls and Shafali's in 30 balls.

After a brief lull between overs 7-9, where India scored just 14 runs, Smriti and Shafali exploded, amassing 74 runs in the next five overs. Their scoring acceleration was notable, with the first and second 50 runs taking 32 and 33 balls, respectively, while the final 50 came off just 21 deliveries.

Nimasha claimed the first breakthrough in the 16th over, dismissing Shafali, who was caught and bowled, followed shortly by Smriti's dismissal to Malsha. Richa then wreaked havoc during the death overs, showcasing a blistering performance against 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, pushing India past their previous best of 217/4 set against the West Indies in Navi Mumbai last year.

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) against Sri Lanka