IND-W vs SL-W: India thrash Sri Lanka by eight-wicket win in 1st T20I

There was no ODI World Cup hangover for the Indian women’s team as they began their build-up to next year’s T20 World Cup with a statement eight-wicket win over Sri Lanka in Vizag. Jemimah Rodrigues starred with a fluent 69, while the bowlers laid the foundation before the hosts chased down the target within 15 overs to take a 1-0 lead in the series.

India won the toss and opted to bowl, with dew expected to play a major role in the contest. The impact was evident from the outset, as fielders slipped at times and the ropes were used early to remove excess moisture from the outfield.

Sri Lanka’s heavy dependence on skipper Chamari Athapaththu has been evident for years. Even during the ODI World Cup clash against India, they stayed competitive only as long as the opener remained at the crease, before crumbling once she was dismissed.

The same script unfolded in Vizag. Athapaththu began brightly with three boundaries to get Sri Lanka going, but her stay was cut short by a peach of an inswinger that left her completely clueless. From there, while wickets didn’t tumble immediately, the Sri Lankan innings lost all momentum and drifted into a prolonged lull.

India fielded a balanced attack featuring three pacers and two spinners, with young Vaishanavi Sharma handed her debut. With an eye on fine-tuning combinations and building a new core for the T20 World Cup, the strategy worked perfectly—at least in the opening game.

Once spin was introduced in the sixth over, boundaries became a rarity. Deepti Sharma showed no signs of an ODI World Cup hangover, bowling with her trademark accuracy and control. She broke a slow 38-ball stand between Vishmi Gunaratne and Hasini Perera by dismissing the latter.

Vaishanavi and Arundhati Reddy, both left-arm orthodox bowlers, operated at different speeds,



making it difficult for the Sri Lankan batters to settle. Vaishanavi, in particular, impressed with her composure on debut, returning figures of 4-0-16-0. She was unfortunate not to pick up a wicket due to a dropped catch.

Gunaratne top-scored with 39, but her innings lacked tempo as Sri Lanka laboured their way to 121.

India’s chase didn’t begin ideally, with Shafali Verma falling for nine in the second over. Attention quickly shifted to Smriti Mandhana, who was returning to action after a turbulent month. In Vizag, however, cricket took centre stage as the opener quickly found her rhythm.

Mandhana crossed the 4,000-run milestone in Women’s T20Is, while Jemimah steadily built her innings at the other end. Although Mandhana fell soon after to Inoka Ranaweera, the 54-run partnership had already put the game firmly beyond Sri Lanka’s reach.

Following Mandhana’s dismissal, Jemimah shifted gears and finished the contest emphatically. She dismantled Shashini Gimhani in the 12th over, striking four boundaries and bringing up her fifty in style as the Sri Lankan side looked deflated and resigned.

Jemimah sealed the win with a single as India wrapped up the chase comfortably and turned their attention to the second match on Tuesday, December 23, at the same venue.

India captain Harmanpreet Kaur stressed on it following the win, saying that the wet outfield can't be an excuse.

"With bat and ball we did well but we are working hard on our fielding, I don't know why we are dropping catches. It's wet no doubt about it but it is not an excuse," said Harmanpreet.

India were fortunate that Sri Lanka lacked the quality to capitalise on these lapses. Against stronger opposition and in high-pressure situations, such mistakes could prove far more costly.