India Women vs Sri Lanka: Deepti Sharma Powers Perfect 5-0 Sweep
India capped off a memorable year in women’s cricket with another commanding performance as they completed a 5-0 clean sweep over Sri Lanka in the India Women vs Sri Lanka T20I series. The fifth and final match, played in Thiruvananthapuram, showcased India’s depth, resilience, and all-round strength, with Deepti Sharma scripting history and captain Harmanpreet Kaur delivering a match-defining knock.
While the series had already been sealed before the final encounter, India approached the game with the same intensity and professionalism that defined their campaign. The hosts secured a 15-run victory, reinforcing their dominance and ending the year on a high following their recent World Cup triumph.
Harmanpreet Kaur Holds Firm Under Pressure
India’s innings did not begin smoothly. With vice-captain Smriti Mandhana rested and a new opening combination tried, early wickets put the hosts under pressure. The top order struggled to handle Sri Lanka’s disciplined bowling, and India found themselves reeling at 77 for five midway through the innings.
At that crucial moment, skipper Harmanpreet Kaur rose to the occasion. Displaying composure and leadership, she anchored the innings with a gritty 68 off 43 balls, her first half-century of the series. The knock was not just about runs but about timing, game awareness, and responsibility.
Harmanpreet combined power with placement, finding gaps on both sides of the wicket and rotating the strike effectively. Despite losing partners at regular intervals, she ensured that the innings did not collapse completely.
Late Surge Pushes India to Competitive Total
Support came in the later stages from Arundhati Reddy, whose aggressive cameo changed the momentum. Walking in with the scoreboard pressure mounting, Arundhati played a fearless knock of 27 not out from just 11 deliveries, striking boundaries with confidence and intent. Her late assault lifted India past the 170-run mark, with the team eventually finishing at 175 for seven, a total that looked competitive given the conditions. A crucial partnership between Harmanpreet and Amanjot Kaur further stabilised the innings and gave India’s bowlers something substantial to defend.
Sri Lanka’s Chase Shows Promise but Lacks Finish
Chasing 176, Sri Lanka began on an uncertain note, losing captain Chamari Athapaththu early. However, the visitors responded well through a solid partnership between Hasini Perera and Imesha Dulani, who added 79 runs for the second wicket.
Both batters played with confidence, finding regular boundaries and rotating strike effectively. Dulani impressed with her clean hitting, striking eight fours during her fluent fifty, while Perera held the innings together with a calm and controlled half-century.
Despite their efforts, Sri Lanka struggled to accelerate when it mattered most. The inability to clear the boundary consistently during the middle overs meant the required run rate steadily climbed, putting pressure on the incoming batters.
Indian Spinners Apply the Brakes
The turning point in the India Women vs Sri Lanka T20I finale came through India’s disciplined bowling, particularly from the spinners. Amanjot Kaur’s breakthrough in the 12th over removed Dulani and shifted the momentum firmly in India’s favour.
From there, the spinners tightened the screws. Deepti Sharma and Vaishnavi Sharma bowled economical spells, denying Sri Lanka the freedom to attack. With the run rate soaring beyond control, wickets began to fall in clusters, effectively ending Sri Lanka’s hopes of a late surge.
Deepti Sharma Creates World Record
The highlight of the match—and the series—came in the 14th over when Deepti Sharma trapped Nilakshika Silva leg-before. With that dismissal, Deepti became the leading wicket-taker in women’s T20 international history, surpassing Australia’s Megan Schutt.
The milestone, her 152nd T20I wicket, is a testament to Deepti’s consistency, skill, and longevity at the highest level. Achieved in just 134 matches, the record further cements her status as one of the most impactful all-rounders in modern women’s cricket.
Her achievement added an extra layer of significance to India’s series sweep, symbolising both team success and individual excellence.
Series Sweep Reflects India’s Dominance
Sri Lanka eventually finished on 160 for seven, falling short by 15 runs. The result sealed a 5-0 whitewash for India, underlining the gap between the two sides across all departments.
The series showcased India’s strong bench strength, tactical flexibility, and ability to recover from pressure situations. Whether batting collapses or tight chases, the team found contributors at every stage, a hallmark of championship sides.
For Sri Lanka, there were positives in individual performances, especially from their middle order, but inconsistency and lack of finishing power proved costly throughout the series.
A Perfect End to a Golden Year
The India Women vs Sri Lanka T20I series served as a fitting conclusion to an exceptional year for Indian women’s cricket. With a World Cup victory already in the bag, the clean sweep further strengthened India’s position as one of the leading forces in the women’s game.
As the team looks ahead to future challenges, performances like these will provide confidence, momentum, and belief. The blend of experienced leaders and emerging talent suggests that India’s dominance is not just momentary but built for the long term.
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