In the fourth Women's T20 International, India defeated Sri Lanka by 30 runs, taking a 4-0 lead in the five-match series. The match, held at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday, saw India put up a formidable score of 221/2, their highest ever in T20Is. Sri Lanka fought back, but could only manage 191/6 in their 20 overs.
Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bowl first. India's innings was powered by Smriti Mandhana's 80 off 48 balls and Shafali Verma's 79 off 46 balls. The opening pair put on a record-breaking 162 runs, the highest partnership for India in women's T20Is for any wicket. Mandhana overtook Harmanpreet Kaur to become India's leading six-hitter in women's T20Is. Richa Ghosh contributed an unbeaten 40 off just 16 balls, ensuring a strong finish for the hosts.
The Sri Lankan chase began strongly with Hasini Perera scoring 33 off 20 balls and captain Chamari Athapaththu making 52 off 37 balls. However, the target proved too steep, and the team lost wickets at regular intervals. Vaishnavi Sharma was the pick of the Indian bowlers, taking 2/24. Arundhati Reddy also chipped in with two wickets.
India made two changes to their XI, bringing in Harleen Deol and Arundhati Reddy in place of Jemimah Rodrigues and Kranti Gaud.
With this win, India has an unassailable 4-0 lead in the series. The final T20I is scheduled for Tuesday.
