Indian Openers Unleash Batting Fury as India Pile Up 221 Against Sri Lanka

Dec 2025 : The Indian women’s batting juggernaut continued its domination in the short series as the openers once again set the tone with an explosive start. Smriti Mandhana and Shefali Verma delivered a breathtaking powerplay display, dismantling the Sri Lankan bowling attack and laying the foundation for a massive total. Their aggressive intent from the very first over left the opposition rattled and the spectators thrilled.

Batting first for the first time in the series at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram, Team India posted a formidable 221 for 2 in their allotted 20 overs. Openers Shefali Verma (79) and Smriti Mandhana (80) were at the heart of the assault, scoring brisk half-centuries and ensuring India seized early control of the match.

Mandhana got into her stride quickly, striking two crisp boundaries in the opening over bowled by Shehzad. Kavya followed up by conceding back-to-back fours, as India raced ahead. Shefali, who had already scored two consecutive half-centuries in the series, looked in sublime touch and punished anything loose. She hammered two more fours in the sixth over bowled by the Sri Lankan captain, helping India amass 61 runs in the powerplay without losing a wicket.

The momentum continued beyond the powerplay as both openers maintained a healthy scoring rate. Mandhana, who began cautiously, soon shifted gears and started finding the boundary regularly. At the other end, Shefali completed a hat-trick of half-centuries in the series, underlining her consistent form. India crossed the 150-run mark in just 14.2 overs, firmly putting the Sri Lankan bowlers on the back foot.

After Shefali’s dismissal, Richa Ghosh walked in and wasted no time in asserting herself. Mandhana soon departed as well, causing a brief slowdown in the scoring rate. However, Richa, known for her finishing prowess, revived the momentum alongside skipper Harmanpreet Kaur.

The highlight of the innings came in the 19th over bowled by Kaveesha Dilhari. Richa went on a rampage, smashing 6, 6, 4, and 6 in consecutive deliveries to plunder 23 runs and propel India past the 200-run mark. Her clean striking in the death overs completely shattered Sri Lanka’s hopes of containing the total.

In the final over, Harmanpreet added further polish to the innings by scoring 14 runs, including a six and a four. The unbeaten pair of Richa Ghosh (40 not out) and Harmanpreet Kaur (16 not out) stitched together a rapid 53-run partnership for the third wicket in just 23 balls, ensuring India finished on a commanding note.

With Sri Lanka already reeling after three consecutive defeats in the series, the daunting target posed a stiff challenge. Whether the visitors could respond to India’s batting onslaught or succumb once again remained the big question heading into the chase.