India Secures T20 Series Victory Against Sri Lanka in Thiruvananthapuram

Thiruvananthapuram: In a commanding display at Greenfield Stadium, India triumphed over Sri Lanka in the third match of their five-match T20 series, securing a 3–0 lead. The match, attended by approximately 6,000 enthusiastic fans, saw India opting to field first after winning the toss for the third consecutive time.

The Indian bowling attack effectively restricted Sri Lanka to a total of 112 runs for the loss of seven wickets. Renuka Singh was the standout performer, earning the Player of the Match title with impressive figures of four wickets for 21 runs. Her early breakthroughs dismantled the Sri Lankan middle order, establishing a solid foundation for India’s success.

Sri Lanka's opener, Hasini Perera, managed to score 25 runs before being dismissed, while Renuka also claimed the wickets of Harshitha Samarawickrama, Nilakshika Silva, and Imesha Dulani. Meanwhile, Deepti Sharma made a significant impact upon her return from illness, securing three wickets and equalling the record for the most wickets in women's T20 internationals, now tied with Australian cricketer Megan Schutt at 151.

In pursuit of the modest target, Indian opener Shafali Verma showcased her batting prowess, scoring an unbeaten 79 runs off just 42 balls. Her aggressive approach was reminiscent of former Indian batter Virender Sehwag, as she struck fear into the Sri Lankan bowlers. Shafali's innings included a blistering 29 runs off left-arm spinner Nimasha Meepage during the Powerplay overs, helping India to complete their chase with more than six overs remaining and eight wickets in hand.

Harmanpreet Kaur, the captain of the Indian team, expressed her satisfaction with the team's performances throughout the series. "It was a great series for all of us. That's what we discussed after the (ODI) World Cup that we have to raise our standard and be more aggressive in T20s because the (T20) World Cup is coming up, so we are happy with our overall performances," she stated during the post-match presentation.

With this victory, India has demonstrated its dominance in the series, showcasing a mix of disciplined bowling and explosive batting. The team will be looking to maintain this momentum as they approach the final matches of the series and prepare for future competitions.