Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 28 (NationPress) Indian team captain Harmanpreet Kaur commended Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma for their explosive 162-run partnership, which propelled the team to a 30-run victory against a determined Sri Lanka in the fourth women's T20I at the Greenfield International Stadium on Sunday.

Smriti, awarded Player of the Match, and Shafali delivered exceptional performances, scoring 80 and 79 runs respectively. Their efforts, combined with Richa Ghosh’s unbeaten 40 and Harmanpreet's contributions, raised India’s total to an impressive 221/2, marking their highest score in T20I history.

“Time was of the essence, and I aimed for everyone to be punctual. I wanted to avoid a last-over scenario with three fielders outside,” Harmanpreet expressed regarding her on-field demeanor. “I have been playing for a long time, and I strive to enhance my game after each match. We must acknowledge the crucial start provided by Smriti and Shafali.”

“Additionally, Richa and I played a vital role in securing the innings’ finish. We considered giving Harleen a chance, but based on how the game unfolded, we opted for Richa to conclude the innings,” she added during the post-match presentation.

Smriti, who surpassed 10,000 international runs during her innings, acknowledged the transition back to T20 cricket following an extensive ODI stint. “Switching back to T20 after a long period of ODIs was quite challenging. The mental shift was significant. I had prepared specific game plans against them and aimed to execute them effectively,” she remarked.

She further praised Shafali’s innings and the team’s camaraderie. “Watching Shafali bat is always a delightful experience. We complement each other exceptionally well. I am pleased to see her growth over the past year; our team dynamics have improved significantly. We celebrate each other’s successes, and when Kamalini took that catch, we all rejoiced together.”

Sri Lanka made a commendable effort in their chase, scoring 191/6 in 20 overs, which is their highest score in women's T20Is. Captain Chamari Athapaththu recognized the improvement in her team's batting while lamenting the inexperience of her bowling unit.

“Our batting has made significant strides, but we still need to enhance our power-hitting. India executed their plans effectively, while our bowlers struggled. However, we have a young bowling lineup, and with time, they will gain experience from competing against top teams,” she stated.

Chamari also praised left-arm spinner Vaishnavi Sharma, who took 2 wickets for 24 runs. “Vaishnavi has shown considerable improvement through her under-19 experience. Although she doesn’t participate in the WPL, she bowled exceptionally well today. The key is her strategic approach to her spells, and I commend how Harmanpreet managed her throughout the match,” she concluded.