India’s Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma showcased exceptional batting performances, scoring 80 and 79 runs respectively, leading India to a formidable total of 221/2 against Sri Lanka in the fourth T20I match. The duo established a record-breaking 162-run opening partnership, the highest for India in T20Is. Shafali Verma continued her impressive form with her third consecutive half-century, comprising 12 fours and a six, while Smriti Mandhana’s innings included 11 fours and three sixes.
Richa Ghosh’s quickfire 40 off 16 balls, supported by Harmanpreet Kaur’s unbeaten 16 off 10 balls, boosted India’s total with a late flourish, adding 63 runs in the final five overs. Sri Lanka, tasked with chasing 222 runs, will rely heavily on Chamari Athapaththu, playing her 150th T20I, to mount a competitive challenge against India’s imposing score. Despite early wickets from Malsha Shehani and Nimasha Madushani, Sri Lanka faces a daunting task in the chase.
India’s aggressive start saw them reach 61/0 at the end of the powerplay, with both Smriti and Shafali scoring boundaries consistently. Smriti Mandhana achieved a significant milestone by becoming only the fourth woman, and the second Indian after Mithali Raj, to reach 10,000 international runs during her innings. The partnership between Smriti and Shafali saw them reach their respective half-centuries in quick succession, setting the stage for a dominant Indian innings.
After a brief slowdown in the middle overs, Shafali and Smriti accelerated, scoring 74 runs in the next five overs. Nimasha’s breakthrough in the 16th over, dismissing Shafali, was followed by Smriti’s dismissal in the same over. Richa Ghosh’s explosive batting in the death overs, including a brutal assault on Kavisha Dilhari, propelled India to their highest-ever women’s T20I score of 221/2, surpassing their previous best against the West Indies.
