New Delhi: India continued its dominant run in the ongoing five-match Women’s T20 series against Sri Lanka with a 7-wicket victory in the second game at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam. While young opener Shafali Verma starred with a storming 69* off 34 balls, veteran batter Smriti Mandhana struggled once again, getting out cheaply for 14 runs from 11 balls.
Shafali Verma Steals the Show
Shafali Verma’s explosive batting helped India chase down the modest target of 129 in just 12 overs, earning her the Player of the Match award. Her aggressive stroke play ensured India maintained control throughout the chase. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur and other batters contributed in supporting roles, but it was Shafali’s innings that made the difference.
Smriti Mandhana Faces Setback in Rankings
For Mandhana, the day was doubly disappointing. Not only did she fail in the T20 match, but the ICC’s latest batting rankings also saw her slip from the top spot in ODIs. She now sits second with 811 rating points, behind South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt, who leads with 820 points. Mandhana’s ODI dominance was effectively ended by Wolvaardt earlier in the day.
Match Overview
Opting to bowl first after winning the toss, India restricted Sri Lanka to 128/9 in 20 overs. Harshita Samarawikrama top-scored for Sri Lanka with 33 runs, while other batters failed to make a significant impact. In response, India’s clinical chase, led by Shafali Verma, ensured a comfortable 7-wicket victory.
With this win, India now leads the series 2-0. The third T20 will be played on December 26 in Thiruvananthapuram, where a victory would secure the series for India.
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