In Women’s Cricket, India successfully defended a massive target of 222 to clinch a 30-run victory over Sri Lanka in the fourth T20I of the five-match series at Thiruvananthapuram last night, extending their unassailable lead to 4-0 with one game still to be played.

 

 

Having already sealed the series, India produced another dominant all-round performance, first piling up a mammoth 221 for 2 in their 20 overs before restricting Sri Lanka to 191 for 6 in the stipulated twenty overs.

 

 

Sri Lankan skipper Chamari Athapaththu led from the front with a fighting half-century, scoring 52. She was well supported by opening partner Hasini Perera, who scored 33. Among the Indian bowlers, Vaishnavi Sharma stood out with impressive figures of 2 for 24 from her four overs. Arundhati Reddy also claimed two wickets, while Shree Charani took one wicket. Earlier, Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bowl first. 

 

 

Batting first, India scored 221 runs for the loss of 2 wickets in the stipulated 20 overs. The Indian openers gave a solid start, with Smriti Mandhana scoring 87, while Shafali Verma contributed 79. Richa Ghosh then gave a brilliant finish, smashing 40 off just 16 balls to help India reach a commanding total.

 

 

Smriti Mandhana was declared Player of the Match. The fifth and final match of the series will be played tomorrow at the same venue. Mandhana also completed her 10,000 runs in women’s international cricket. The left-handed batter became the fourth woman batter after Mithali Raj, Suzie Bates and Charlotte Edwards, and the second Indian after Mithali to achieve the 10,000-run milestone.