In a commanding display of cricket, India Women thrashed Sri Lanka Women by 82 runs in the 12th match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024. The match, held at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on October 9, 2024, saw India put on a brilliant all-around performance to secure a dominant win and maintain their strong form in the tournament.
India’s Innings: A Solid Foundation and Fiery Finish
Winning the toss and opting to bat first, India Women posted a strong total of 172/3 in their 20 overs. The foundation for this competitive score was laid by solid knocks from the top-order batters.
- Shafali Verma gave a stable start, scoring 43 runs from 40 balls, lacing the innings with four boundaries.
- Smriti Mandhana, the stylish left-hander, played an aggressive inning, contributing 50 off 38 balls, including four fours and a six. Her partnership with Shafali was crucial in setting the stage for India’s big total.
- However, it was the captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, who truly stole the show. Kaur’s unbeaten 52 off just 27 deliveries was the highlight of the innings. Her knock featured 8 boundaries and 1 six, striking at a remarkable strike rate of 192.59, helping India finish the innings with a flourish.
The Sri Lankan bowlers struggled to contain the Indian batters, with Udeshika Prabodani and Ama Kanchana managing to take a wicket each. However, their efforts were overshadowed by the powerful batting display from India’s lineup.
Sri Lanka’s Struggle: Batting Collapse Under Pressure
In response, Sri Lanka Women faced an uphill task and could only manage 90 runs before being bowled out in 19.5 overs. India’s bowlers put up a disciplined and clinical performance, leaving no room for Sri Lanka to mount any serious challenge.
- Renuka Singh Thakur (2/16) and Arundhati Reddy (3/19) were instrumental in dismantling the Sri Lankan batting order.
- Asha Sobhana also contributed significantly, picking up 3 wickets for 19 runs, showing her skills in the middle overs.
Sri Lanka’s batters struggled from the very beginning, losing wickets at regular intervals. Anushka Sanjeewani (21 off 22) and Kaveesha Dilhari (20 off 22) were the only two batters to reach double figures, but their efforts were not enough to stabilize the innings.
The Indian bowlers were relentless, and the fall of wickets continued at a rapid pace. Sri Lanka lost their last wicket with just one ball left in the innings, highlighting the dominance of India’s bowlers.
Harmanpreet Kaur: Player of the Match
Harmanpreet Kaur was deservingly named the Player of the Match for her outstanding knock of 52* off 27 balls and her leadership on the field. Kaur’s aggressive yet composed batting ensured that India had a formidable target on the board, and her captaincy guided her team to a comfortable victory.
Key Highlights:
- India Women: 172/3 in 20 overs (Harmanpreet Kaur 52*, Smriti Mandhana 50, Shafali Verma 43)
- Sri Lanka Women: 90 all out in 19.5 overs (Anushka Sanjeewani 21, Kaveesha Dilhari 20)
- India won by 82 runs.
Bowling Performance:
- India’s bowling attack, led by Renuka Singh Thakur (2/16) and Asha Sobhana (3/19), ensured a clinical defense of their total.
- Sri Lanka’s batters could not withstand the pressure, leading to a collapse with no significant partnerships.
