Thiruvananthapuram: An all‑round India rode on Smriti Mandhana (80) and Shafali Verma’s (79) record partnership, followed by spinner Vaishnavi Sharma’s impressive 2/24, to beat Sri Lanka by 30 runs in the fourth women’s T20I and take a 4‑0 lead in the five‑match series here on Sunday.
After Mandhana and Shafali set the platform for India’s highest women’s T20I total of 221/2 with a record 162‑run stand for any wicket, Vaishnavi bowled an excellent spell of 4‑0‑24‑2 to help the home side secure a commanding win.
Chasing 222, Sri Lanka came out firing with Hasini Perera (33 off 20 balls, 7 fours) and skipper Chamari Athapaththu (52 off 37 balls, 3 fours, 3 sixes) providing early fireworks. But the target proved too steep, as they lost wickets in a flurry towards the end to finish at 191/6 in 20 overs.
Perera set the tone with a flurry of boundaries, while Athapaththu showcased her rich array of strokes. However, the asking rate kept climbing on a flat pitch. Vaishnavi bowled nine dot balls, dismissing Athapaththu and Harshitha Samarawickrama (20) to tilt the game India’s way.
Arundhati Reddy (2/42) chipped in with key strikes, removing Perera after a 59‑run opening stand and later dismissing Kavisha Dilhari (13).
The fifth and final T20I will be played here on December 30.
Earlier, Mandhana and Shafali powered India to their highest women’s T20I total. Richa Ghosh smacked a 16‑ball 40 not out and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur added 16 off nine balls as India rattled up 221/2.
Mandhana and Shafali’s 162‑run stand in 15.2 overs is now India’s best partnership for any wicket in women’s T20Is. It was also their fourth century stand, surpassing their 143 against West Indies at Gros Islet in 2019.
Mandhana entered the record books, becoming only the fourth batter after Mithali Raj, Suzie Bates and Charlotte Edwards to complete 10,000 international runs across formats. Shafali, in red‑hot form, made her third consecutive half‑century of the series but missed a maiden ton, falling for 79 off 46 balls.
Both openers pierced gaps with precision and played spectacular strokes. Shafali’s lofted hit over Kawya Kavindi’s head in the fourth over stood out, while Mandhana’s crisp drives and three sixes lit up the innings.
After their dismissals, Richa and Harmanpreet added 53 runs for the unbroken third wicket, taking India past 200 and sealing a record‑breaking day.
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