Indian spinners and Shafali Verma dismantle Sri Lanka in Vizag

India’s women’s cricket team continued their relentless form in Visakhapatnam, securing a commanding seven-wicket win over Sri Lanka. This victory gives India a 2-0 lead in the five-match T20 series. While the bowlers set the stage by restricting the visitors to a modest total, it was Shafali Verma who stole the show with a breathtaking batting display.

Spinners Squeeze Sri Lankan Batters

Opting to bat first, Sri Lanka started with intent but struggled to maintain momentum. Captain Chamari Athapaththu looked dangerous early on, scoring 31 off 24 balls. However, the Indian spin attack, even without the top-ranked Deepti Sharma (sidelined by fever), proved too clinical. Sneh Rana stepped into the lineup seamlessly, applying pressure with flight and dip to dismiss Athapaththu.

Left-arm spinners N Shree Charani and Vaishnavi Sharma then took control, picking up two wickets each. Sri Lanka’s middle order collapsed under the "squeeze," managing only two boundaries in the final eleven overs of their innings. Plagued by three run-outs, the visitors finished at 128 for 9.

Shafali Verma’s Masterclass

The chase was a one-sided affair once Shafali Verma found her rhythm. After the early loss of Smriti Mandhana, Shafali took charge of the innings. She reached her half-century in just 27 balls, punishing the Sri Lankan bowlers with powerful lofts over the covers and straight hits.

Shafali finished with an unbeaten 69 from just 34 deliveries, including a flurry of boundaries that left the opposition helpless. Jemimah Rodrigues provided solid support with a quick 26, ensuring India reached the target with 49 balls to spare. The home side displayed a level of aggression that Sri Lanka simply could not match.

With the Visakhapatnam leg concluded, the series now shifts to Thiruvananthapuram. India looks poised for a clean sweep if they maintain this clinical level of performance in the upcoming three matches.