Women’s T20 World Cup: IND vs SL Review – India thumps Bangladesh with a dominant win to boost their NRR
India Women’s team delivered a commanding performance to crush Sri Lanka by 82 runs in their 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup match in Dubai, keeping their semi-final hopes alive. After losing early to New Zealand and bouncing back against Pakistan, India’s third match saw them set a challenging target of 172/3, with captain Harmanpreet Kaur leading the charge with an unbeaten 52 off 27 balls—the fastest half-century by an Indian in the Women’s T20 World Cup. Openers Shafali Verma (43) and Smriti Mandhana (50) also played crucial roles in a 98-run stand, laying a solid foundation.
Sri Lanka’s reply faltered right from the start, losing three wickets within the first three overs. Despite some resistance from Kavisha Dilhari (21) and Anushka Sanjeewani (20), the team was bowled out for 90 in 19.5 overs. Renuka Singh and Arundhati Reddy shone with the ball, taking two and three wickets, respectively, as Sri Lanka never recovered from their poor start.
India’s emphatic victory not only boosted their net run rate but also set up an exciting showdown with group leaders Australia in their next match
Top performers of the match
1. Harmanpreet Kaur played a crucial role in India’s victory, scoring an unbeaten 52 runs off 27 balls, including eight boundaries and a six. Her aggressive batting in the latter stages of the innings not only helped set a challenging target of 172 runs but also earned her the Player of the Match award.
2. Smriti Mandhana contributed significantly with her 50 runs off 37 balls, forming a vital 98-run partnership with Shafali Verma. Her ability to rotate the strike and find boundaries put pressure on the Sri Lankan bowlers, solidifying India’s batting foundation.
3. Asha Sobhana delivered a solid performance, claiming three wicket while maintaining an economical bowling rate. Her strategic bowling helped restrict Sri Lanka’s scoring opportunities, showcasing India’s depth in their bowling attack.
4. Arundhati Reddy was exceptional with the ball, taking three wickets for just 19 runs in four overs. Her early strikes, including key top-order wickets, set the tone for India’s dominance, significantly contributing to Sri Lanka’s collapse.
