India defeated Sri Lanka by 30 runs in the fourth T20I, securing a 4-0 series lead with one match remaining.
India Clinches Series Lead in High-Scoring Thriller
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Thiruvananthapuram witnessed a dramatic shift in the India-Sri Lanka women’s T20I series on Thursday, as the fourth match exploded into a run-fest. India posted a commanding 221 for 2, their highest-ever total in women’s T20Is, ultimately proving too much for Sri Lanka, who finished at 191 for 6. The victory gives India an unassailable 4-0 lead in the five-match series.
Record-Breaking Opening Stand Fuels India
Smriti Mandhana and shafali Verma set the tone with a blistering opening partnership, adding 162 runs off just 92 balls – the highest opening stand for India in women’s T20Is. Mandhana, who had struggled for runs in the first three matches, rediscovered her form, while Shafali continued a remarkable run of recent performances.
India’s powerplay was explosive, reaching 61 without loss thanks to 12 boundaries. Shafali’s innings was a masterclass in placement, punctuated by 12 fours and a single six, with her first maximum coming after reaching her half-century. Mandhana, meanwhile, smashed 11 fours and three sixes, briefly slowing her tempo before accelerating to a rapid half-century off 35 deliveries.
- Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana’s partnership of 162 is a new record for India in women’s T20Is.
- Smriti Mandhana now holds the record for most runs (1,703) in women’s international cricket in a calendar year.
- Richa Ghosh’s explosive cameo at the death helped India finish strongly.
- Vaishnavi Sharma impressed with the ball, taking two key wickets for 24 runs.
The momentum swung decisively between overs 11 and 13, as India’s batters unleashed a relentless attack. A sequence of 15, 20, and 18 runs from consecutive overs propelled India from 85 for no loss to 120, effectively extinguishing any hopes Sri Lanka had of controlling the scoring rate. India reached 150 in just 14.2 overs,surpassing the Sri Lanka captain’s pre-match assessment that 140 would be a competitive total.