Thiruvananthapuram, India – In a spectacular display of batting prowess and individual brilliance, India Women clinched a dominant 30-run victory over Sri Lanka Women in the 4th T20I on December 28, 2025, securing an unassailable 4-0 lead in the five-match series. The highlight of the evening at the Greenfield International Stadium was undoubtedly the sensational form of opener Smriti Mandhana, whose record-breaking innings not only set up India’s mammoth total but also etched her name further into the annals of cricket history.

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Mandhana’s Milestone and India’s Batting Blitz

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Invited to bat first, the Indian openers unleashed a batting masterclass that left the Sri Lankan bowlers reeling. Smriti Mandhana, returning to her explosive best, combined with the equally fiery Shafali Verma to forge a record-breaking 162-run partnership for the first wicket – the highest for any wicket for India in Women’s T20Is. Mandhana, the ‘Player of the Match,’ was sublime, scoring 80 off just 48 balls, while Verma matched her intensity with a rapid 79 off 46 deliveries. Their combined onslaught propelled India to an imposing total of 221 for 2 in 20 overs, a score that exemplifies the aggressive brand of cricket this Indian side is increasingly known for.

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Beyond the immediate match impact, Mandhana’s innings carried immense historical significance. During her knock, she surpassed legendary batter Mithali Raj to become the fastest Indian woman to register 10,000 international runs in terms of innings. This milestone underscores Mandhana’s consistent excellence and rapid ascent in international cricket, reaffirming her status as one of the world’s premier batters. As Mandhana herself reflected, ‘it was a bit difficult to get into the T20 mode in the first three games after playing a lot of ODIs,’ highlighting the adaptability required at the highest level. Her comment, ‘I did not change my plans, I just saw how the Sri Lankan Women bowlers have been bowing to her, and tried to play accordingly. It is all about the execution,’ speaks volumes about her tactical awareness and ability to adjust on the fly.

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Shafali Verma’s Maturation

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The partnership wasn’t just about Mandhana’s record; it also showcased Shafali Verma’s burgeoning talent and increasing maturity. Mandhana herself acknowledged Verma’s contribution, stating, ‘watching Shafali was incredible as she did the bulk of the hitting, and it is great to see her mature with every game.’ This observation from a senior pro like Mandhana highlights Verma’s evolution from a raw talent to a more refined, yet equally destructive, force at the top of the order, a development crucial for India’s future T20 ambitions.

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Sri Lanka’s Spirited, Record-Breaking Chase

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Chasing a formidable target of 222, Sri Lanka Women demonstrated commendable fighting spirit, registering their highest-ever total in this format, reaching 191 for 6. Their innings got off to a flyer, scoring 60 in the Powerplay and even outscoring India at the halfway mark. Captain Chamari Athapaththu led from the front with a solid fifty, providing crucial impetus to the chase. Hasini Perera also made a quick start, scoring 33 off just 20 balls, illustrating the intent within the Lankan camp.

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Despite the improved batting performance, as captain Athapaththu noted, ‘we improved in the batting from the last games, but still need to be better with the power hitting.’ Sri Lanka managed to forge a couple of 50-plus partnerships at the top, but a recurring issue of losing their way in the middle overs once again proved to be their undoing. While ‘all the batters showed intent and the ability to score quickly and find boundaries,’ the lack of depth and composure in the crucial middle phase ultimately cost them dearly. Nevertheless, this performance, though a loss, marks a significant step forward for a young Sri Lankan side learning to compete against the ‘best team in the world,’ as Athapaththu aptly put it.

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India’s Bowling and Fielding: Areas for Improvement

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While India’s batting was exceptional, their bowling and fielding departments showed some chinks in the armour. The team ‘struggled in the Powerplay to contain the batters and were inconsistent with their lines and lengths,’ allowing Sri Lanka to get off to a rapid start. Arundhati Reddy provided the initial breakthrough, and the young Vaishnavi Sharma was particularly impressive through the middle overs, maintaining composure to pick up a couple of key wickets, including that of the dangerous Athapaththu. Sree Charani also chipped in with a wicket. However, the ‘catching and fielding were quite sloppy, an area that has been a concern for some time and one that this side needs to improve.’ Even seasoned players like Deepti Sharma dropped a crucial sitter, a rare lapse that underscores the need for sharper performances in the field, especially with bigger tournaments on the horizon.

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Captains’ Reflections and Series Outlook

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Harmanpreet Kaur, the victorious Indian skipper, praised her openers, stating, ‘Credit to Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma for the way they batted.’ She also highlighted the team’s strong cohesion, observing that ‘in the last year, the team has gelled in really well and everyone celebrates each other’s success.’ Kaur also offered insight into tactical decisions, mentioning the promotion of Richa Ghosh for her finishing ability over Harleen Deol. On the Sri Lankan side, Chamari Athapaththu commended India’s batting and acknowledged the learning curve for her young bowlers, stating that ‘they have a lot of youngsters in the team’ and are ‘learning a few things playing against the best team in the world.’ She specifically praised Vaishnavi Sharma, noting, ‘she has not played in the WPL, but she bowls according to her plans, and Harmanpreet Kaur uses her well,’ indicating the impact of the Indian spin prodigy.

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With a dominant 4-0 lead, India Women will now have their sights firmly set on a whitewash in the fifth and final T20I, scheduled for December 30th at the same venue. Sri Lanka Women, despite the series loss, can take heart from their improved batting performance in this match and will be eager to secure a consolation win to finish the series on a positive note. This series has served as a valuable platform for both teams, offering India an opportunity to fine-tune their combinations and for Sri Lanka to gain crucial experience against a top-ranked side.

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Disclaimer: Cricket Mantra aggregates breaking cricket news from multiple reputable sources, enriching them with in-depth analysis and expert commentary to provide comprehensive coverage for our readers.

”
}
{
“headline”: “Mandhana’s Historic World Record Powers India to Dominant 4-0 Lead vs Sri Lanka”,
“category”: “Women’s Cricket”,
“article”: “

Thiruvananthapuram, India – In a spectacular display of batting prowess and individual brilliance, India Women clinched a dominant 30-run victory over Sri Lanka Women in the 4th T20I on December 28, 2025, securing an unassailable 4-0 lead in the five-match series. The highlight of the evening at the Greenfield International Stadium was undoubtedly the sensational form of opener Smriti Mandhana, whose record-breaking innings not only set up India’s mammoth total but also etched her name further into the annals of cricket history.

\n\n

Mandhana’s Milestone and India’s Batting Blitz

\n

Invited to bat first, the Indian openers unleashed a batting masterclass that left the Sri Lankan bowlers reeling. Smriti Mandhana, returning to her explosive best, combined with the equally fiery Shafali Verma to forge a record-breaking 162-run partnership for the first wicket – the highest for any wicket for India in Women’s T20Is. Mandhana, the ‘Player of the Match,’ was sublime, scoring 80 off just 48 balls, while Verma matched her intensity with a rapid 79 off 46 deliveries. Their combined onslaught propelled India to an imposing total of 221 for 2 in 20 overs, a score that exemplifies the aggressive brand of cricket this Indian side is increasingly known for.

\n

Beyond the immediate match impact, Mandhana’s innings carried immense historical significance. During her knock, she surpassed legendary batter Mithali Raj to become the fastest Indian woman to register 10,000 international runs in terms of innings. This milestone underscores Mandhana’s consistent excellence and rapid ascent in international cricket, reaffirming her status as one of the world’s premier batters. As Mandhana herself reflected, ‘it was a bit difficult to get into the T20 mode in the first three games after playing a lot of ODIs,’ highlighting the adaptability required at the highest level. Her comment, ‘I did not change my plans, I just saw how the Sri Lankan Women bowlers have been bowing to her, and tried to play accordingly. It is all about the execution,’ speaks volumes about her tactical awareness and ability to adjust on the fly.

\n\n

Shafali Verma’s Maturation

\n

The partnership wasn’t just about Mandhana’s record; it also showcased Shafali Verma’s burgeoning talent and increasing maturity. Mandhana herself acknowledged Verma’s contribution, stating, ‘watching Shafali was incredible as she did the bulk of the hitting, and it is great to see her mature with every game.’ This observation from a senior pro like Mandhana highlights Verma’s evolution from a raw talent to a more refined, yet equally destructive, force at the top of the order, a development crucial for India’s future T20 ambitions.

\n\n

Sri Lanka’s Spirited, Record-Breaking Chase

\n

Chasing a formidable target of 222, Sri Lanka Women demonstrated commendable fighting spirit, registering their highest-ever total in this format, reaching 191 for 6. Their innings got off to a flyer, scoring 60 in the Powerplay and even outscoring India at the halfway mark. Captain Chamari Athapaththu led from the front with a solid fifty, providing crucial impetus to the chase. Hasini Perera also made a quick start, scoring 33 off just 20 balls, illustrating the intent within the Lankan camp.

\n

Despite the improved batting performance, as captain Athapaththu noted, ‘we improved in the batting from the last games, but still need to be better with the power hitting.’ Sri Lanka managed to forge a couple of 50-plus partnerships at the top, but a recurring issue of losing their way in the middle overs once again proved to be their undoing. While ‘all the batters showed intent and the ability to score quickly and find boundaries,’ the lack of depth and composure in the crucial middle phase ultimately cost them dearly. Nevertheless, this performance, though a loss, marks a significant step forward for a young Sri Lankan side learning to compete against the ‘best team in the world,’ as Athapaththu aptly put it.

\n\n

India’s Bowling and Fielding: Areas for Improvement

\n

While India’s batting was exceptional, their bowling and fielding departments showed some chinks in the armour. The team ‘struggled in the Powerplay to contain the batters and were inconsistent with their lines and lengths,’ allowing Sri Lanka to get off to a rapid start. Arundhati Reddy provided the initial breakthrough, and the young Vaishnavi Sharma was particularly impressive through the middle overs, maintaining composure to pick up a couple of key wickets, including that of the dangerous Athapaththu. Sree Charani also chipped in with a wicket. However, the ‘catching and fielding were quite sloppy, an area that has been a concern for some time and one that this side needs to improve.’ Even seasoned players like Deepti Sharma dropped a crucial sitter, a rare lapse that underscores the need for sharper performances in the field, especially with bigger tournaments on the horizon.

\n\n

Captains’ Reflections and Series Outlook

\n

Harmanpreet Kaur, the victorious Indian skipper, praised her openers, stating, ‘Credit to Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma for the way they batted.’ She also highlighted the team’s strong cohesion, observing that ‘in the last year, the team has gelled in really well and everyone celebrates each other’s success.’ Kaur also offered insight into tactical decisions, mentioning the promotion of Richa Ghosh for her finishing ability over Harleen Deol. On the Sri Lankan side, Chamari Athapaththu commended India’s batting and acknowledged the learning curve for her young bowlers, stating that ‘they have a lot of youngsters in the team’ and are ‘learning a few things playing against the best team in the world.’ She specifically praised Vaishnavi Sharma, noting, ‘she has not played in the WPL, but she bowls according to her plans, and Harmanpreet Kaur uses her well,’ indicating the impact of the Indian spin prodigy.

\n

With a dominant 4-0 lead, India Women will now have their sights firmly set on a whitewash in the fifth and final T20I, scheduled for December 30th at the same venue. Sri Lanka Women, despite the series loss, can take heart from their improved batting performance in this match and will be eager to secure a consolation win to finish the series on a positive note. This series has served as a valuable platform for both teams, offering India an opportunity to fine-tune their combinations and for Sri Lanka to gain crucial experience against a top-ranked side.

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Disclaimer: Cricket Mantra aggregates breaking cricket news from multiple reputable sources, enriching them with in-depth analysis and expert commentary to provide comprehensive coverage for our readers.