Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur led from the front, scoring a brilliant 68 off 43 deliveries as India Women, bolstered by a late blitz from Arundhati Reddy (27 off 11 balls), posted 175/7 in 20 overs against Sri Lanka in the fifth and final T20I match of the series at the Greenfield International Stadium on Tuesday.
Match Overview
India faced a tough start at 77 for 5, but skipper Kaur added 61 runs in 38 deliveries alongside Amanjot Kaur (21), helping the team to a respectable total.
Earlier, India suffered early setbacks as opener Shafali Varma’s outstanding run of form came to an abrupt end. After scoring fifty-plus in three consecutive innings, Varma was caught at long-on for just 1 in the second over. Making her international debut, Gunalan Kamalini showed confidence with some early boundaries, but her innings ended at 12 runs. Along with Harleen Deol, who scored 13 including two boundaries, they contributed 22 runs for the second wicket.
Late Contributions Shine
India’s late surge ensured a competitive total of 175 for 7, especially after they seemed to be falling short. The final four overs yielded 51 runs, significantly improving the innings, particularly after Kavisha Dilhari bowled a tight four-run over, leading India to smash 47 off the remaining three.
Harmanpreet Kaur anchored the innings, avoiding a dip in momentum while wickets tumbled at the other end. Her performance resembled the fearless and proactive style of her Mumbai Inddigihunt days. Amanjot Kaur provided vital support, staying long enough to forge a crucial 61-run partnership for the sixth wicket, which stabilized the innings ahead of the final assault.
At 142 for 7 in the 18th over, with dew expected to set in, India appeared on track to fall below par. However, Arundhati Reddy’s explosive cameo of 27 off 11 balls provided the perfect finishing touch, elevating the total to a healthier mark. Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu may reflect on a few tactical decisions, especially not completing Dilhari’s quota, given her standout bowling figures of 2-11 in two overs.
While India found the seam easier to handle, they faced eight overs of it. Although Shafali, Kamalini, Deol, Ghosh, and Deepti fell to poorly executed shots, the captain ensured the innings remained alive, culminating in a strong finish.
Brief Scores
India Women 175/7 in 20 overs (Harmanpreet Kaur 68, Arundhati Reddy 27 not out; Kavisha Dilhari 2/11, Chamari Athapaththu 2/21) against Sri Lanka Women.