India’s bowlers delivered a disciplined performance in the third women’s T20 international, keeping Sri Lanka well below a competitive total. The effort was led by Renuka Singh Thakur, who made a strong return to the format, while Deepti Sharma continued her reliable run with the ball.
Renuka Makes Immediate Impact
Playing her first T20I in several months, Renuka Singh made an immediate impression. She bowled with control and movement, creating pressure from the opening overs. As a result, Sri Lanka struggled to score freely during the powerplay.
Her accuracy forced the batters to take risks early. This approach helped India establish control within the first few overs of the innings.
Sri Lanka Show Early Intent
Sri Lanka began positively through Hasini Perera, who attempted to counterattack in the opening overs. She found boundaries and briefly lifted the scoring rate. In addition, her use of unconventional strokes helped ease some pressure.
Meanwhile, captain Chamari Athapaththu found it difficult to settle at the crease. India’s bowlers maintained tight lines and denied easy runs.
India Strike at Crucial Moments
The first breakthrough came when Deepti Sharma dismissed Athapaththu. The Sri Lankan skipper advanced down the pitch but failed to time her shot, offering a simple catch to Harmanpreet Kaur. This wicket shifted momentum firmly in India’s favour.
Soon after, Renuka returned to pick up two quick wickets. She removed Perera, who had looked the most comfortable, before producing a sharp caught-and-bowled effort to dismiss Harshitha Samarawickrama. Sri Lanka lost momentum following this collapse.
Middle Overs Remain Under Control
Renuka continued her impressive spell by trapping Nilakshika Silva leg-before. Her consistent pace and length made scoring increasingly difficult for the batters.
Although Kavisha Dilhari and Imesha Dulani put together a brief partnership, the pressure never eased. Deepti broke the stand by dismissing Dilhari, which also marked her 150th wicket in women’s T20 internationals.
India Close Out the Innings Strongly
From that point onward, India maintained complete control. Renuka and Deepti varied their pace smartly and attacked the stumps. As a result, Sri Lanka failed to rebuild momentum.
Regular wickets ensured the scoring rate stayed in check. Sri Lanka eventually finished with a modest total, reflecting India’s sustained bowling discipline and sharp fielding throughout the innings.
Strong Statement from India’s Bowlers
The performance highlighted India’s bowling depth and composure under pressure. Renuka Singh’s successful return added further strength to the attack, while Deepti Sharma once again proved her value in the middle overs.
Match Score Brief
First Innings: Sri Lanka Women
| Team | Score | Overs |
|---|---|---|
| Sri Lanka Women | 112/7 | 20 overs |
Sri Lanka Women posted a total of 112 for 7 in their allotted 20 overs. Hasini Perera was the leading scorer with 25 runs off 18 deliveries, while Imesha Dulani contributed 27 off 32 balls. Despite a few brief partnerships, Sri Lanka struggled to maintain momentum against India’s disciplined bowling attack.
| Top Batters | Runs | Balls |
|---|---|---|
| Imesha Dulani | 27 | 32 |
| Hasini Perera | 25 | 18 |
| Kavisha Dilhari | 20 | 13 |
| Top Bowlers (India) | Overs | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Renuka Singh Thakur | 4 | 21 | 4 |
| Deepti Sharma | 4 | 18 | 3 |
Second Innings: India Women
| Team | Score | Overs |
|---|---|---|
| India Women | 115/2 | 13.2 overs |
India Women chased down the target comfortably, reaching 115 for 2 in just 13.2 overs. Shafali Verma played a dominant innings, remaining unbeaten on 79 from 42 balls. She controlled the chase from the start and ensured there were no setbacks for the hosts.
| Top Batters | Runs | Balls |
|---|---|---|
| Shafali Verma | 79* | 42 |
| Harmanpreet Kaur | 21* | 18 |
India completed the chase with eight wickets in hand, sealing a convincing victory and underlining their dominance in the third women’s T20I.
