In Match 12 of the ICC T20 Women’s World Cup, the India women’s team clashed with Sri Lanka in a high-stakes showdown at the Dubai International Stadium. This encounter was a crucial must-win for both teams as they eyeing for a vital spot in the tournament.
India’s Aggressive Approach in 1st Innings
Team India won the toss and decided to bat first on a pitch that looked better than previous encounters. This was a good toss to win for Harmanpreet Kaur upfront. India’s openers, Smriti Mandana and Shafali Verma, took center stage as Inoshi Priyadharshini prepared to deliver with the new ball. They had a decent start in the first over, scoring 5 runs. The pitch had some bounce, which was a good sign for the batters. Slowly, India picked up the pace in the Powerplay, scoring 41 runs without losing a wicket, setting up a platform for a big finish.
Sri Lanka's bowlers had a few close chances but were unlucky and it didn't cost them anything. As the innings continued, at the end of the seventh over, Smriti Mandana smashed a six, which was also India’s first six in this World Cup, to reach a fifty partnership. With this fifty-run stand, both Mandana and Shafali Verma equaled the record for the most fifty-run stands for any wicket in T20I's, with 20 times, equaling the record of Alyssa Healy and Beth Mooney. Finally, Sri Lanka got a breakthrough with a run-out, dismissing Smiriti Mandana right after her half-century, followed by Shafali Verma who was dismissed by the Sri Lankan captain in the next ball.
In came Jemimah Rodrigues after India lost both of their openers in successive deliveries. As the platform was laid, it was now both Kaur and Rodrigues' time to build on this score. They did the same by hitting boundaries and increasing the run rate in the process. Harmanpreet Kaur was going strong, breaking boundaries, and reached her fifty in style with a boundary off the last ball of the innings. After an aggressive approach from the Indian batters for the first time in this tournament, they were able to put up a massive total of 172/3 in 20 overs. The key highlights of the innings were fifties from both Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandana, supported by Shafali Verma and Jemimah Rodrigues.
Clueless Sri Lankan 2nd Innings
Sri Lanka needed to chase 173 runs in 20 overs to stay alive in the competition against the strong Indian bowlers. However, their openers, Vismi Gunaratne and Captain Chamari Athapaththu, faced a tough challenge. Renuka Singh Thakur made an impact with the new ball by dismissing Vismi for a 2-ball duck, and Shreyanka Patil got rid of Captain Chamari Athapaththu for a single digit.
Sri Lanka struggled during the powerplay, scoring only 28 runs with the loss of three wickets.
The required run rate was nearing 10 runs per over, and despite a small partnership between Kavisha Dilhari and Anushka Sanjeewani, Sri Lankan batters failed to answer the Indian bowling attack. They were all out for just 90 runs, leading to their elimination from the tournament.
The team's issues included dropping important catches and losing momentum in the first innings. Despite some valiant efforts, the Indian bowlers dominated the Sri Lankan batters, with Arundhati Reddy and Asha Shobana each picking up 3 wickets.
With this win, India achieved their largest victory in T20 format, winning by an impressive 82 runs. This success moves them up to second place in the points table, along with a strong run rate. They are now well-positioned for a spot in the knockout rounds!
