India’s high-five moment
Thiruvananthapuram: India will look to continue their aggressive intent and complete a 5-0 series whitewash against a vanquished Sri Lanka in the fifth and final women’s T20 International here on Tuesday.
The five-match series has formed a significant part of India’s preparation for the T20 World Cup in England in June-July next year. Following Tuesday’s game, India will play three T20 Internationals each in Australia and England before the showpiece event.
After a group-stage exit in the 2024 T20 World Cup, India recalibrated their approach, opting for a more aggressive style of play, a shift that has yielded two series wins this year. “It was a great series for all of us. That’s what we discussed after the World Cup — that we have to raise our standards and be more aggressive in T20s,” captain Harmanpreet Kaur had said after sealing the series against the Islanders.
India’s bowlers have been the primary architects of the dominant run, with batters having very little to do in the opening three matches. But the big-hitting Shafali Verma has impressed.
However, fielding remains an area of concern. After a sloppy showing in the series opener, India faltered again in the previous match, missing two catches and a stumping opportunity.
There have been several positives as well. Pacer Renuka Singh Thakur has made a successful return to the format after a year-long absence, while the ever-reliable Deepti Sharma continues to deliver consistently.
Twenty-year-old debutant left-arm spinner Vaishnavi Sharma has also lived up to her promise and is currently the joint-highest wicket-taker of the series with four scalps at an economy rate of 5.73.
With the bat, Shafali has been a constant menace for Sri Lanka, scoring three half-centuries in four matches at a blistering strike rate of 185.82.
Another major boost for the hosts was the return to form of vice-captain Smriti Mandhana after a lean patch. The elegant left-hander will hope her big outing -- 80 off 48 balls -- in the fourth T20I helps her carry the momentum forward.
Shafali and Mandhana produced a masterclass in aggressive batting in the fourth T20I, putting on 162 runs off just 92 balls-- India’s highest opening partnership in women’s T20 Internationals.
India’s decision to promote Richa Ghosh to No. 3 also paid rich dividends, with the wicketkeeper batter smashing an unbeaten 40 off just 16 deliveries. After the first three matches were low-scoring affairs, the fourth T20I turned into a run-fest, with both India and Sri Lanka registering their highest-ever totals in the format.
Although India’s 221 for 2 proved too much for Sri Lanka, who managed 191 for 6, the Islanders would take confidence from their vastly improved batting display as they seek a consolation win.
Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu has often led from the front, and her string of low scores had hurt the side.
Athapaththu too broke the rut with a 37-ball 52 in the previous match, and with more support from the other batters, Sri Lanka would hope for a stronger showing.
