India Women Hit Peak Form Against Sri Lanka Ahead of 2026 T20 World Cup
Right now, if there’s one clear takeaway from the India Women versus Sri Lanka Women T20I series, it’s this — India are peaking at just the right time. With the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 on the horizon, the Indian team has sent a strong message by dominating Sri Lanka and showcasing a brand of cricket that feels confident, fearless, and brutally effective.
The fourth T20I of the series was where history was truly made. Batting first, India posted their highest-ever total in Women’s T20 internationals, a staggering 221 for 2. That number alone tells a story, but how it was achieved makes it even more impressive. A massive opening partnership between Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma set the tone early. Mandhana played a fluent knock of 80, while Shafali matched her aggression with 79. Together, they added 162 runs for the first wicket, which has now become India’s highest partnership in Women’s T20Is for any wicket.
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Milestones were quietly ticked off along the way. Smriti Mandhana crossed 10,000 international runs across formats, becoming only the second Indian woman to do so. What stood out even more was the speed of the achievement, as it was reached faster than legends like Mithali Raj, Suzie Bates, and Charlotte Edwards. It felt like a personal landmark wrapped inside a team performance.
The momentum never slowed. Richa Ghosh and Harmanpreet Kaur chipped in with unbeaten cameos, pushing the total into record territory. When Sri Lanka came out to chase, they fought hard and showed plenty of intent, eventually reaching 191. Still, the mountain proved too steep, and India sealed the win by 30 runs to take an unassailable 4–0 lead in the five-match series.
After the match, Mandhana spoke honestly about the challenge of switching from ODI cricket to the faster T20 format, admitting that the mental adjustment had been tough. What really stood out, though, was her comment on team culture. According to her, there’s a new energy in the squad, where everyone is genuinely celebrating each other’s success.
That team-first mindset was also visible ahead of the fifth T20I, where Mandhana and fast bowler Renuka Singh Thakur were rested. With the series already won, young players were given opportunities, including a debut for 17-year-old G Kamalini. It was a clear signal that this series is not just about winning now, but about building depth for the future.
As both teams continue their preparations for the 2026 T20 World Cup in England and Wales, India look settled, powerful, and well ahead in their planning. If this series is any indication, the road to 2026 is being paved with confidence and record-breaking intent.
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