India will aim to maintain their aggressive approach and complete a clean sweep when they face Sri Lanka in the fifth and final women’s T20 International on Tuesday.
The five-match series has been a crucial part of India’s build-up to the T20 World Cup in England in June–July next year. After the series finale, India will tour Australia and England for three T20Is each before the global event.
Following their early exit from the 2024 T20 World Cup, India recalibrated their T20 strategy, embracing a more attacking style—an approach that has already delivered two series wins this year.
“It was a great series for all of us. That’s what we discussed after the World Cup—that we need to raise our standards and play more aggressive T20 cricket,” captain Harmanpreet Kaur said after India sealed the series.
India’s bowlers have spearheaded the dominance, leaving the batters with limited work in the first three matches. However, Shafali Verma has stood out with her explosive batting.
Fielding, though, remains a concern. After a sloppy start to the series, India faltered again in the previous game, missing two catches and a stumping chance.
There have been positives across departments. Pacer Renuka Singh Thakur has returned strongly after a year-long absence, while Deepti Sharma continues to be a model of consistency. Debutant left-arm spinner Vaishnavi Sharma has impressed, emerging as the joint-highest wicket-taker of the series with four wickets at an economy rate of 5.73.
With the bat, Shafali has tormented Sri Lanka, smashing three half-centuries in four matches at a strike rate of 185.82. Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana’s return to form has further boosted India. Her fluent 80 off 48 balls in the fourth T20I marked a timely resurgence.
The opening pair of Mandhana and Shafali put on a record-breaking 162-run stand off just 92 balls in the fourth match, India’s highest opening partnership in women’s T20 Internationals. India’s decision to promote Richa Ghosh to No. 3 also paid dividends, as the wicketkeeper-batsman hammered an unbeaten 40 off 16 balls.
After three low-scoring contests, the fourth T20I turned into a run-fest, with both teams posting their highest-ever totals in women’s T20Is. India’s 221 for 2 proved too steep for Sri Lanka, who replied with a spirited 191 for 6.
Despite the loss, Sri Lanka will take confidence from their improved batting display. Captain Chamari Athapaththu, whose run of low scores had hurt the side, found form with a 37-ball 52 and will hope for stronger support in the series finale as the Islanders chase a consolation win.
The match starts at 7 pm.
(By PTI Inputs)
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