Mumbai: Shafali Verma once again underlined her status as one of India’s most destructive batters as her blistering unbeaten 79 powered India Women to a comprehensive series-clinching win against Sri Lanka Women in the third T20 International. Chasing a modest target, India completed the task with ease, winning by eight wickets and taking an unassailable lead in the series.
From the moment she walked out to bat, Shafali set the tone with fearless stroke play, dismantling the Sri Lankan bowling attack and ensuring the chase never drifted into uncertainty. Her innings was a mix of raw power and controlled aggression, showcasing her growing maturity in the shortest format.
India’s chase began on an aggressive note, with Shafali taking charge in the power play. She found the boundaries regularly, punishing anything short or overpitched. Sri Lanka’s bowlers struggled to find consistency as Shafali dominated both pace and spin, using the crease effectively and picking her gaps with precision.
The opener raced to her half-century in quick time, bringing it up with a boundary that summed up her intent. While wickets fell at the other end, Shafali remained unfazed, continuing to dictate the tempo of the chase. Her shot selection was bold yet calculated, ensuring India stayed well ahead of the required rate throughout.
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur provided steady support as Shafali went about her business. The pair ensured there were no hiccups, rotating strike when needed and accelerating whenever Sri Lanka attempted to pull things back. Harmanpreet played a measured innings, allowing Shafali to remain the focal point of the chase.
India crossed the finish line with several overs to spare, underlining the gulf between the two sides in terms of firepower and execution. Shafali remained unbeaten, finishing the match with authority and stamping her influence on the series.
India’s dominant batting performance was built on the back of a disciplined bowling effort earlier in the match. The Indian bowlers kept Sri Lanka on a tight leash, refusing to allow momentum at any stage of the innings.
Renuka Singh Thakur struck early, setting the tone with her movement and accuracy. Deepti Sharma once again proved her value in the middle overs, picking up crucial wickets while keeping the run rate under control. The Sri Lankan batters found it difficult to break free, with regular wickets halting any hopes of a competitive total.
Despite a few brief partnerships, Sri Lanka were restricted to a below-par score, one that never truly threatened India given the depth and form of the home side’s batting lineup.
With this victory, India sealed the series emphatically, showcasing their all-round strength and depth. The margin of the win reflected India’s dominance across departments, particularly their ability to control games both with the ball and the bat.
Shafali’s innings stood out as the defining moment of the match and the series. Her fearless approach at the top has continued to give India fast starts, easing pressure on the middle order and allowing the team to dictate terms from early on.
The series win will give India confidence as they look ahead to tougher international assignments. The blend of youth and experience, coupled with consistent performances from key players, has been a positive takeaway.
For Shafali Verma, the knock was another reminder of her match-winning potential. On her day, she remains nearly impossible to contain, and her ability to dominate attacks from the outset continues to be a vital asset for India in T20 cricket.
As the team moves forward, performances like these will be crucial in building momentum and sharpening their edge against stronger opposition. For now, India can reflect on a series that was firmly under their control, capped off by a scintillating innings from one of their brightest stars.
