India Women have secured an unassailable 3-0 lead in their five-match T20I series against Sri Lanka Women, demonstrating
a significant gulf in skill and depth between the two sides. The third match saw India cruise to victory, underscoring
their dominance throughout the series. This win marks Harmanpreet Kaur's 77th victory as captain, solidifying her
position as the most successful leader in the format.
The series has been characterized by India's commanding performances with both bat and ball. In the recent match, Sri
Lanka's batting woes continued, failing to post a competitive total. India's bowlers, led by Renuka Singh Thakur and
Deepti Sharma, consistently applied pressure, restricting Sri Lanka's scoring opportunities. Renuka Singh Thakur was
named Player of the Match for her impressive figures of 4-21, while Deepti Sharma's contribution with three wickets
further cemented India's control.
Shafali Verma's explosive batting has been a key feature of India's success. In the third T20I, she scored an unbeaten
79 off 42 balls, ensuring a swift and decisive victory. Sri Lanka's bowling attack struggled to contain Verma, lacking
clear plans and effective execution. Kavisha Dilhari was a notable exception, displaying effort with both bat and ball,
but lacked support from her teammates.
Sri Lanka's captain, Chamari Athapaththu, acknowledged her team's struggles, particularly with their batting
performance. She emphasized the need for improvement and mentioned the team's efforts to experiment with different
combinations in preparation for the upcoming World Cup. However, the team's inability to put up competitive scores has
been a persistent issue throughout the series.
Harmanpreet Kaur highlighted the team's focus on raising their standards and adopting a more aggressive approach to T20
cricket following the World Cup. She praised the bowlers' contributions, emphasizing their crucial role in the T20
format. The strategic use of bowlers in the Powerplay, particularly Renuka Singh Thakur, was aimed at targeting Sri
Lanka's key top-order batters. Kaur also acknowledged Renuka's resilience after a slightly expensive first over,
highlighting her strong comeback and the team's supportive environment.