India Clinches 5-0 Series Sweep as Sri Lanka’s Late Fight Falls Short

They finally put up a fight, but it wasn’t enough to clinch a win.

In the final T20I at the Greenfield Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday night, the Sri Lankan women’s team, despite being overshadowed in the first four matches, challenged India in both batting and bowling. However, the Women in Blue secured a 15-run victory, completing a 5-0 series sweep.

While chasing India’s total of 175 for seven, Sri Lanka managed to score 160 for seven. Despite impressive innings from Hasini Perera (65, 42b, 8×4, 1×6) and Imesha Dulani (50, 39b, 8×4), they fell short as neither could remain until the end to guide their team to victory.

The duo’s 79-run partnership for the second wicket, following the early dismissal of their captain Chamari Athapaththu, provided a glimmer of hope for the visitors. Unfortunately for Sri Lanka, no other batter could make a significant impact, as the Indian bowlers made a strong comeback. Deepti Sharma’s dismissal of Nilakshika Silva marked her 152nd wicket, surpassing Australia’s Megan Schutt to become the leading wicket-taker in women’s T20Is.

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Earlier, Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur’s 68 (43b, 9×4, 1×6) and a late onslaught from Arundhati Reddy (27 not out, 11b, 4×4, 1×6) helped the hosts recover from a shaky beginning to post a total of 175.

The Indian team introduced a new opening pair, with G. Kamalini making her debut in place of the rested Smriti Mandhana. Shafali Verma, who had been the series’ top scorer, experienced a decline in form after previous scores of 69 not out, 79 not out and 79. She was dismissed in the second over, caught by a diving Imesha Dulani after attempting to hit Nimasha Meepage over long-on.

Kamalini, following a few promising shots, was trapped lbw while sweeping at Kavisha Dilhari’s first delivery. With Harleen Deol losing her leg stump to Rashmika Sewwandi’s second ball, India found themselves at 41 for three by the seventh over.

Richa Ghosh and Deepti Sharma struggled to stay at the crease for long as well. However, Harmanpreet Kaur found a reliable partner in Amanjot Kaur, adding 61 runs for the sixth wicket.

When the Indian captain entered the fray, the scoreboard showed 27 for two. By the halfway mark, half the team was back in the pavilion with just 77 runs accrued.

Despite the situation around her, Harmanpreet remained unfazed, confidently stepping out against the spinners and displaying her power-hitting prowess.

The final touches came courtesy of Sneh Rana and Arundhati Reddy, whose unbroken partnership for the eighth wicket added a crucial 33 runs.

Published on Dec 30, 2025