Shafali Verma's Explosive Knock Secures India's T20 Series Win Against Sri Lanka
In a thrilling encounter under the lights at the Greenfield Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram, the India women's cricket team powered to a dominant 3-0 lead in their five-match T20 series against Sri Lanka. Cheered on by nearly 6,000 fans, India delivered another impressive all-round performance, setting a high standard that left Sri Lanka struggling to keep pace.
After winning the toss for the third consecutive match, Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur once again opted to field, and India made the most of the conditions. The Sri Lankan batters were kept in check as Renuka Singh, who was named Player of the Match, took charge with the ball. Singh was absolutely on fire, claiming four wickets for just 21 runs. Her pace and accuracy dismantled Sri Lanka's middle order. Despite a brief counterattack from Hasini Perera, who made 25 runs, Sri Lanka never managed to get going. Perera's resistance was quickly ended when Singh took her out, and further wickets fell in quick succession as Sri Lanka were restricted to 112/7.
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Deepti Sharma, returning to the side after missing a match due to illness, also played a pivotal role. She added three wickets to her tally, becoming the joint-highest wicket-taker in women’s T20Is, alongside Australia's Megan Schutt. Sharma's calm and composed bowling ensured that Sri Lanka's top order was kept under wraps, with key players like Chamari Athapaththu and Kavisha Dilhari falling to her precise deliveries.
With just 113 runs to chase, India started confidently. Shafali Verma, in particular, was unstoppable. Her blistering knock of 79 runs off just 42 balls was the highlight of the chase. She was aggressive from the start, taking the Sri Lankan bowlers to task, especially against left-arm spinner Nimasha Meepage. In just 24 balls, Shafali reached her half-century, a stunning performance that showcased her fearless batting style. Her shot selection was impeccable, and she played with the kind of free spirit that reminded fans of Indian cricket legend Virender Sehwag.
Thanks to Shafali's dominance, India reached the target with more than six overs to spare, finishing the match with eight wickets in hand. The team's relentless performance with both bat and ball reflected the gap in class between the two sides. At the post-match presentation, Harmanpreet Kaur spoke about the importance of this series in preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup, expressing her satisfaction with the team's aggressive approach.
India's performance was ruthless and confident, once again proving that they are a force to be reckoned with in women’s cricket.
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