India’s Ruthless Squad Depth Overshadows Spirited Sri Lanka

The experienced team didn’t hold back.

In a display of uncompromising cricket, the Indian women’s team showcased their dominance in the recent five-match T20I series against Sri Lanka. Held at the Greenfield Stadium and concluding on Tuesday night, the series highlighted India’s prowess. The final game saw Sri Lanka close the gap to a 15-run defeat, improving from previous losses by eight wickets, seven wickets, eight wickets, and 30 runs.

The young Sri Lankan squad’s performance was commendable and provided some consolation. Rumesh Ratnayake, the former fast bowler who assumed coaching responsibilities during challenging times, steered the team to a series victory in England and a memorable win against India in the Asia Cup final, can take pride in this effort as his tenure as coach ends.

In the series’ last match, India rested Smriti Mandhana and Renuka Singh, yet managed a convincing win, underscoring the depth and strength of their bench.

With Smriti absent and after Shafali Verma’s early exit following three consecutive fifties, captain Harmanpreet Kaur stepped up with a stellar performance. The struggles faced by the top and middle orders provided opportunities for players like Amanjot Kaur and Arundhati Reddy to emphasize the value of all-rounders within the Indian team.

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The series was also memorable for the team’s exceptional all-rounder. Deepti Sharma’s notable batting wasn’t needed much, yet she emerged as a leading bowler, becoming the top wicket-taker in women’s T20I cricket. She surpassed Australian bowler Megan Schutt, claiming her 152nd wicket by trapping Nilakshika Silva lbw in the final T20I.

During this series, India introduced another promising young spinner, Vaishnavi Sharma. This left-arm spinner from Gwalior came up through junior and domestic cricket, not through the Women’s Premier League (WPL). It’s crucial to note that not every player’s career transforms through auctions; alternative pathways are vital for talent to shine.

Vaishnavi still has more to prove in her quest for a spot on the Indian team for next year’s T20 World Cup in England. The series against Sri Lanka demonstrated that the Women in Blue are on the right track in their preparations. Their global reputation as champions—albeit in a different format—remains untarnished.

Published on Dec 31, 2025