How did Shafali's 79 not out lead India to a series victory over Sri Lanka?
Synopsis
In an electrifying match, Shafali Verma's stunning 79 not out propelled India Women to an eight-wicket win against Sri Lanka Women, clinching the series with a 3-0 lead. Discover how her explosive batting and solid performances from her teammates sealed another triumph for India at the Greenfield International Stadium.
Key Takeaways
Shafali Verma's India secured a 3-0 series lead with this win.
Strong bowling performances from Renuka and Deepti were crucial.
India's batting depth was showcased despite early wickets.
Harmanpreet Kaur provided steady support to Shafali.
Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 26 (NationPress) The explosive opener Shafali Verma delivered a masterclass with an impressive unbeaten score of 79 runs off 42 balls, leading India Women to an emphatic eight-wicket triumph over Sri Lanka Women in the third T20I of their five-match series. This victory at the Greenfield International Stadium secured India an unassailable 3-0 series lead on Friday.
With Renuka Singh Thakur shining with figures of 4-21 and Deepti Sharma contributing 3-18, Sri Lanka was confined to a mere 112/7. Shafali showcased her prowess with an explosive performance, hitting 11 boundaries and 3 sixes to guide India to victory with a remarkable 6.4 overs to spare.
Despite the early loss of her opening partner, Smriti Mandhana, and Jemimah Rodrigues due to the bowling of Kavisha Dilhari, Shafali took charge from the start, ensuring another convincing win for the team. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur supported her with a steady 21 not out, marking India’s fourth consecutive T20I series win over Sri Lanka.
Shafali began her innings with caution, facing three dot balls in the first over, but quickly turned aggressive. She initiated her onslaught against Malsha Shehani with a six and a four, then continued her momentum against Nimesha Madushani with two more boundaries.
A setback occurred when vice-captain Smriti Mandhana was dismissed lbw by off-spinner Kavisha Dilhari for just one run. Attempting a sweep, she misjudged the delivery, which spun away to hit her front pad, confirmed by ball-tracking to have gone on to hit the leg stump.
Although Jemimah struggled to find her rhythm after surviving an lbw appeal, Shafali continued to dominate the bowlers, reaching her fifty in just 24 balls with a drive past mid-on off Malki Madara.
Kavisha returned to take Jemimah's wicket when she tried to sweep a full delivery outside off-stump, resulting in an under-edge that hit the stumps. Meanwhile, Harmanpreet managed to score through leg-side shots, while Shafali finished off the chase with a lofted four, sealing another commanding victory for India.
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
Point of View
I emphasize the significance of Shafali Verma's performance in this match. Her ability to dominate the Sri Lankan bowlers not only highlights her personal skill but also strengthens the Indian women's cricket team's position on the international stage. This victory is a testament to the team's consistency and determination.
NationPress
20 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Shafali Verma's score in the match?
Shafali Verma scored an unbeaten 79 runs off 42 balls .
What was the outcome of the third T20I?
India Women won against Sri Lanka Women by eight wickets , clinching the series 3-0.
Who were the standout bowlers for India?
The standout bowlers for India were Renuka Singh Thakur with 4-21 and Deepti Sharma with 3-18 .
Where did the match take place?
The match was held at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram.
What was Sri Lanka's total score?
Sri Lanka scored 112 runs for the loss of 7 wickets.
