Riding high on confidence after two successive victories, Harmanpreet Kaur and her Indian side are set to face Sri Lanka in the third T20I at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram on December 26, 2025. With a dominant 2-0 lead in the five-match series, India will be aiming to seal the series with another commanding performance against a Sri Lankan team struggling to find their footing.
India has showcased their strength in both batting and bowling in the series thus far. In the second T20I at Visakhapatnam, India chased down a target of 129 with ease, securing a seven-wicket victory. Shafali Verma's explosive, unbeaten 69 off 34 balls earned her the Player of the Match award and exemplified India's aggressive intent at the top of the order. Jemimah Rodrigues has also been in impressive form, currently leading the series in runs scored. With Smriti Mandhana providing stability and Harmanpreet Kaur adding experience, the Indian batting lineup appears well-balanced and adaptable to different match situations.
The Indian bowling attack has been equally impressive, consistently restricting the Sri Lankan batters. In the second T20I, Shree Charani and Sneh Rana led the charge, with Charani taking 2 wickets for 23 runs and Rana proving economical with 1 for 11. India's spin unit, also including Vaishnavi Sharma, has been particularly effective in controlling the middle overs.
Sri Lanka, on the other hand, has struggled to compete against India's all-round strength. Their batting has lacked consistency, with captain Chamari Athapaththu and Harshitha Samarawickrama being the only batters to show some resilience. Athapaththu has scored 46 runs in the series at a strike rate of 127.77. The Sri Lankan bowlers have also found it difficult to contain the Indian batters, with Kawya Kavindi being the only bowler to take more than one wicket in the series so far. After a disappointing World Cup performance, the pressure is on Sri Lanka to improve and keep the series alive.
For India, the key will be to maintain their momentum and continue executing their plans effectively. The team is likely to stick with the winning combination from the first two matches. Shafali Verma's aggressive approach at the top, combined with the experience of Rodrigues, Mandhana, and Kaur, gives India a formidable batting lineup. The bowling unit, led by Charani, Rana, and supported by other spinners, will aim to continue stifling the Sri Lankan batters.
Sri Lanka needs a significant improvement in all departments to challenge India. Athapaththu will need to lead from the front with the bat, and the other batters will need to contribute more meaningfully. Their bowlers will also need to find ways to take early wickets and put the Indian batting order under pressure.
India Women are strong favorites to win the third T20I. Their superior balance, batting depth, and disciplined bowling make them a difficult team to beat. Unless Sri Lanka can produce an exceptional performance, India is well-positioned to seal the series in Thiruvananthapuram.
The match is scheduled to begin at 7:00 PM IST.
