Dominant Indian side secures comfortable eight wicket win in Kerala.
Indian cricketers showcased absolute dominance at Thiruvananthapuram as they dismantled Sri Lanka in the final match of the series this Friday. Led by Shafali Verma's explosive batting and Renuka Singh’s fiery bowling spell, the hosts secured an easy eight-wicket victory. This win completes a clinical 3-0 series sweep, proving the hosts' superiority in the shortest format of the game.
Renuka and Deepti Stun Sri Lanka
Deciding to bowl first proved to be a masterstroke for the Indian side. Renuka Singh was in exceptional form from her first over, tearing through the Sri Lankan top order. She finished with impressive figures of 4 for 21, leaving the visitors reeling during the Powerplay. Deepti Sharma provided excellent support from the other end, picking up three vital wickets for just 18 runs.
The Sri Lankan batters struggled to find any momentum against the disciplined Indian attack. While Imesha Dulani attempted to stabilize the innings with a patient 27, she lacked support from the other end. Captain Chamari Athapaththu fell early for just 3 runs, which set the tone for the rest of the innings. Sri Lanka was eventually restricted to a modest total of 112 for 7 in their allotted 20 overs.
Shafali Verma’s Batting Masterclass
Chasing a target of 113, India never looked under pressure despite losing Smriti Mandhana in the fourth over. Shafali Verma took full control of the chase, reaching her half-century in just 24 balls. Her aggressive approach left the Sri Lankan bowlers with no room for error. Shafali remained unbeaten on 79 off just 42 deliveries, a knock decorated with 11 boundaries and 3 massive sixes.
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur played a steady role at the other end, scoring 21 runs to ensure there were no further hiccups. India reached the target in a mere 13.2 overs, finishing the match with 40 balls to spare. This clinical performance reflects the wide gap between the two sides throughout the tour. India’s bowlers set the tone early on, and the batters finished the job with remarkable precision, much to the delight of the local fans in Kerala.
