With a blend of explosive batting, clutch bowling, and a bit of late-innings drama, India Women have powered their way to a commanding 4-0 lead in the five-match T20I series against Sri Lanka Women, clinching the 4th T20I by 30 runs at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram on December 28, 2025. This result not only cements India’s dominance in the series but also offers a tantalizing preview of their growing depth ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026.
Coming into the match, India Women had already pocketed the series with a 3-0 lead, allowing the team management to experiment with their lineup and give fringe players a taste of the big stage. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, were desperate to salvage pride and test combinations that could serve them well in future global tournaments. The pitch at Greenfield International Stadium is known to favor bowlers, but with dew expected to play a role, the contest promised intrigue and unpredictability.
Opting to bat first, India Women’s openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma set the tone with a breathtaking display of strokeplay. The duo stitched together a record-breaking 150-run partnership for the first wicket—the highest ever for India in Women’s T20 Internationals. Mandhana, in particular, was at her imperious best, reaching her 32nd T20I fifty in style and eventually falling for a superb 80 off 48 balls. Verma, too, dazzled with a 79-run knock off just 46 deliveries, narrowly missing out on her maiden T20I hundred.
As Mandhana and Verma tore into the Sri Lankan attack, the visitors looked bereft of answers. The bowlers, led by Malsha Shehani and Nimesha Madushani, tried to stem the flow but were largely ineffective against the onslaught. Shehani eventually broke the deadlock, dismissing Mandhana with a cleverly disguised delivery. Madushani followed up by removing Verma, who mistimed a return catch, but by then, the damage was done.
India’s late-middle order, which had remained largely untested throughout the series, finally got a chance to flex its muscles. Richa Ghosh and captain Harmanpreet Kaur made the most of the opportunity, adding a rapid 53 runs in just 23 balls at the death. Ghosh was particularly ruthless, hammering an unbeaten 40 off only 16 balls, laced with four boundaries and three towering sixes. Kaur played a supporting role with an unbeaten 16, as India finished with a mammoth 221 on the board—the kind of total that would make any chasing side nervous.
For Sri Lanka, the target of 222 was always going to be a daunting ask, but the dew offered a sliver of hope. Openers Chamari Athapaththu and Hasini Perera came out with intent, knowing that a fast start was their best shot at an upset. The pair did not disappoint, racing to 29 runs within the first two overs and soon notching up the first 50-plus partnership for any wicket in this T20I series. Perera, aggressive from the outset, smashed a brisk 33 off 20 balls before falling to Arundhati Reddy, who had her caught by Harmanpreet Kaur after a mistimed lofted shot.
Athapaththu, Sri Lanka’s talismanic captain, continued to anchor the chase and kept the visitors’ hopes alive. She played a captain’s knock, accumulating 52 runs off 37 balls and handling the Indian bowlers with authority. But with the mounting pressure and a climbing required run rate, wickets began to tumble. Vaishnavi Sharma, who had been India’s go-to spinner throughout the series, delivered a crucial breakthrough by dismissing Athapaththu, swinging the momentum firmly back in India’s favor. Sharma finished with two wickets, as did Reddy, both proving instrumental in stalling the Sri Lankan charge.
Despite the favorable conditions for batting, Sri Lanka’s middle order faltered under pressure. The Indian bowlers, undeterred by the slippery ball and challenging grip due to dew, maintained discipline and composure. The fielders backed up their bowlers with sharp catches and energetic ground work, further tightening the screws on the visitors. As wickets fell at regular intervals, Sri Lanka’s chase lost steam, and the required rate ballooned out of reach.
“The dew made life difficult for us, but our bowlers showed great character,” said India captain Harmanpreet Kaur after the match, echoing the sentiments of a team that has grown in confidence with every outing. Vaishnavi Sharma’s performance stood out, with her two-wicket haul including the prized scalp of Athapaththu. “I just stuck to my basics and focused on bowling in the right areas,” Sharma explained in the post-match interaction.
For the Sri Lankan camp, there were positives to take despite the defeat. The opening partnership between Athapaththu and Perera showed glimpses of what the team is capable of when firing on all cylinders. However, the inability to convert starts into match-winning performances remains a concern as they look ahead to the final T20I and the bigger challenge of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026.
India’s squad depth was on full display, with the likes of Arundhati Reddy and Vaishnavi Sharma stepping up when it mattered. The team management’s decision to rotate players and test combinations has paid dividends, offering clarity ahead of upcoming global events. For Sri Lanka, the remaining matches are an opportunity to fine-tune their playing XI and address the gaps exposed by a formidable Indian side.
The 4th T20I also served as a showcase for the growing popularity of women’s cricket in India. The match was broadcast live on the Star Sports Network and streamed on the Jiostar app and website, drawing significant viewership and highlighting the sport’s rising profile. With the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 looming, both teams know that every game, every performance, and every experiment counts.
As the sun sets on Thiruvananthapuram, India Women stand tall with a 4-0 series lead and a squad brimming with confidence. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, will regroup and aim to salvage pride in the final match. One thing’s for sure—the stage is set for an exciting finish to the series, and the lessons learned here will echo all the way to the World Cup.
