Author : Aashiya JAIN | EQMINT | SPORTS

 

In an exciting display of limited‑overs cricket, India Women wrapped up a dominant 5‑0 T20I series sweep over Sri Lanka Women with a hard‑fought victory in the fifth and final match of the series at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday evening. The hosts finished the year on a high, showcasing both individual brilliance and collective resilience.

 

India Set a Competitive Total After Early Wobbles

Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bowl first, giving India the first opportunity to put runs on the board. However, the start did not go completely to plan for the home side. Early wickets made the scoreboard look tense, with India struggling at 77 for five at the halfway mark.

 

Just when things looked difficult, captain Harmanpreet Kaur walked in and anchored the innings with a clutch half‑century. Her innings of 68 runs off 43 balls, studded with nine boundaries and one six, provided a much‑needed platform for India to post a competitive total.

 

Harmanpreet’s knock wasn’t just about runs it was about calm under pressure. She built a crucial 61‑run partnership with Amanjot Kaur, who chipped in with 21 runs, steadying the innings when it teetered.

 

Towards the end of the innings, Arundhati Reddy’s quickfire 27 off just 11 balls* lifted India past the 170 mark, giving them a total of 175 for seven in their 20 overs. Her powerful hitting late on helped India move from a challenging situation to a defendable score.

 

Sri Lanka Fight Back But Fall Short

Chasing 176, Sri Lanka got off to a mixed start. Their captain Chamari Athapaththu was dismissed cheaply for just two runs, placing early pressure on the visitors. However, Hasini Perera responded with a bold knock of 65 off 42 balls, keeping Sri Lanka in the game with some smart stroke‑making.

 

At No. 3, Imesha Dulani also made a significant contribution with a well compiled 50, helping Sri Lanka recover and keep the required run rate within reach for a while.

Despite these standout performances, Sri Lanka couldn’t find enough support down the order to overhaul India’s total. The efforts of Perera and Dulani were notable, but tight bowling from India, combined with fall of wickets at key moments, ultimately kept the visitors behind. Sri Lanka finished on 160 for seven in their 20 overs, falling 15 runs short of India’s total.

Bowling That Made the Difference

India’s bowlers played their part in maintaining pressure when it mattered most. While Deepti Sharma who recently became the highest wicket‑taker in Women’s T20 International history continued her record‑breaking run, the team collectively ensured Sri Lanka never took control of the chase. Deepti now has 152 T20I wickets, overtaking some of the great bowlers in the format.

 

Tight lines and disciplined bowling, across pace and spin, frustrated Sri Lanka’s batters and prevented them from building long partnerships after the fall of early wickets.

 

Series Recap: India’s Commanding Performance

This fifth T20I was a fitting end to what had been a completely dominant series by India. From the opening match to the finale, the hosts outplayed Sri Lanka in almost every department of the game.

 

Earlier games in the series had already set the tone:

• • Second T20I: Shafali Verma’s brisk 69* powered India to a comfortable win and a 2–0 lead.

• • Fourth T20I: India posted a massive total of 221 for 2, with record stands between Mandhana and Verma setting the table for a commanding win.

The clean sweep winning all five matches highlights India’s depth in batting, flexibility in bowling and tactical strength as a unit.

 

A Fitting End to the Year

The match was not just another T20 game it was India’s final international fixture of 2025. To finish with a 5‑0 whitewash against a competitive Sri Lankan side is a strong statement. It reflects a blend of seasoned leadership and emerging talent, giving fans plenty to be optimistic about heading into the next season of international cricket.

 

Across all five matches, India combined power, technique and strategic discipline, stamping their authority on the series from start to finish. For Sri Lanka, individual resistance in patches provided glimpses of fight, but consistency proved elusive over the five matches.

 

As fans streamed out of the stadium and back into their evening routines, the headlines were clear: India closed the year with confidence, class and a performance that emphasized teamwork, grit, and memorable individual contributions.

 

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Resource link : NDTV