Thiruvananthapuram, India – December 26, 2025 – In a resounding display of their burgeoning dominance in women’s T20 international cricket, India Women secured an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series against Sri Lanka Women. The third T20I at the Greenfield International Stadium witnessed a comprehensive eight-wicket victory for the hosts, powered by a stellar batting performance from Shafali Verma and incisive bowling spells from Renuka Singh Thakur and Deepti Sharma. This breaking news highlights India’s formidable strength and raises questions about Sri Lanka’s readiness for upcoming challenges.

India’s Unstoppable Momentum: A Series Clinched with Conviction

The series, which has largely been a one-sided affair, saw India extend their winning streak with remarkable ease. Chasing a modest target of 113, India romped home in just 13.2 overs, leaving 40 balls to spare. This follows similar dominant wins where India finished with 32 and 49 balls remaining in the first two matches. The collective tally of unused deliveries – a staggering equivalent of a full innings – vividly illustrates the vast ‘gulf between the two sides’ in terms of ‘skill, depth, and overall quality’, as noted by commentators.

Captain Harmanpreet Kaur, now the most successful T20I skipper with 77 victories, expressed her satisfaction with the team’s performance, stating, ‘it has been a great series for the entire group.’ She further added that after the World Cup, the team ‘wanted to raise the standards and be more aggressive in T20 cricket, with another World Cup coming.’ This commitment to continuous improvement and a proactive approach is clearly visible in their clinical execution on the field.

The Pillars of Victory: Verma’s Batting Blitz and Bowling Brilliance

Shafali Verma: The Chase Architect

At the heart of India’s chase was the explosive Shafali Verma, whose unbeaten 79 off just 42 balls was a masterclass in aggressive yet controlled batting. Her knock, adorned with boundaries and big hits, ‘effectively tucked the game in and turned the lights out early.’ Verma’s ability to consistently provide rapid starts and accelerate effortlessly has become a hallmark of India’s T20 strategy. Her innings not only ensured a comfortable victory but also demonstrated her growing maturity as a match-winner, perfectly aligning with Harmanpreet Kaur’s vision for a more ‘aggressive’ T20 unit.

Renuka Singh Thakur: The New Ball Menace Returns

Marking her return to T20I cricket since December last year, Renuka Singh Thakur immediately made her presence felt. Her figures of 4/21 were instrumental in ‘rattling the Sri Lankan top order and swinging the momentum decisively in India’s favour.’ Renuka, who was rightfully named ‘Player of the Match’, humorously acknowledged her knack for taking four wickets, saying she ‘somehow always ends up with four wickets and rarely gets a five-wicket haul.’ She added that she ‘might need to work even harder to achieve that,’ highlighting her ambition. Renuka also shed light on her preparation, sharing that she ‘regularly goes to the NCA to prepare for tournaments’ and has been ‘working extensively’ on her variations with the World Cup in mind. Her mental fortitude was evident when she admitted that ‘even when the first over did not go according to plan, she knew she could come back strongly,’ a quality praised by Captain Kaur.

Deepti Sharma: The Record-Equalling All-Rounder

Adding another layer of brilliance to India’s bowling effort was Deepti Sharma, who chipped in with three crucial wickets. Her performance saw her draw level with Australia’s Megan Schutt as the joint-highest wicket-taker in women’s T20 Internationals – a significant milestone that underscores her consistent impact and growing legacy in the format. Deepti’s ability to pick up wickets at regular intervals, coupled with Renuka’s early breakthroughs, ensured Sri Lanka ‘never regained momentum and were restricted to a below-par total.’ Her value to the Indian side as a dynamic all-rounder cannot be overstated, contributing with both bat and ball to stabilize and accelerate the team’s performance.

Sri Lanka’s Road Ahead: A Call for Introspection

For Sri Lanka, this series has been a stark reminder of the work that lies ahead, particularly with another World Cup on the horizon. Skipper Chamari Athapaththu candidly admitted that her team ‘is not playing its best cricket’ and that the ‘batting unit has struggled considerably.’ The scores of 121, 128, and 112 in the three matches underscore this struggle. Athapaththu acknowledged a ‘clear need for improvement’ in their batting and, despite trying ‘a few options with the bowling unit,’ conceded that ‘things have not quite fallen into place.’

While Kavisha Dilhari was highlighted for her ‘wholehearted effort with both bat and ball’ and Imesha Dulani for batting ‘really well,’ these individual contributions were insufficient to stem the Indian tide. The Sri Lankan team’s ‘listless’ bowling, ‘no clear plans, no execution, and barely a hint of a fight’ against Verma’s onslaught further exposed their vulnerabilities. As Athapaththu mentioned their plans to ‘try out a few more players’ ahead of the World Cup, the urgency for a drastic turnaround in form and strategy is palpable. The visitors will need to ‘lift their game to compete with this ruthless force called India,’ with the remaining matches offering an opportunity to play ‘with greater freedom’ and ‘inject some spark into the contest.’

Harmanpreet Kaur: A Captain Redefining Leadership

Harmanpreet Kaur’s achievement of 77 T20I victories as captain is a landmark moment, cementing her status as the ‘most successful skipper in this format.’ Her leadership goes beyond mere statistics; it reflects a clear strategic vision and an ability to inspire her team. Her emphasis on ‘aggressive’ T20 cricket and the crucial role of ‘bowling’ in the format highlights her tactical acumen. The decision to open with Renuka Singh Thakur, despite her first over going for 12 runs, showcases faith in her bowlers and an understanding of key opposition weaknesses. Kaur’s motivation, recalling ‘legend Jhulan Goswami’s words that one has to work harder to earn a fifer,’ speaks volumes about the culture of excellence she fosters within the squad.

Looking Forward: A Dominant Force and a Quest for Redemption

With the series sealed, India will likely look to experiment further and maintain their winning momentum, solidifying combinations and fine-tuning strategies ahead of the global showpiece event. For Sri Lanka, the remaining two T20Is on December 28th and beyond are not just dead rubbers but crucial opportunities for self-assessment, experimentation, and regaining some much-needed confidence. The gulf between the two teams is undeniable, but the beauty of cricket lies in its unpredictability and the relentless pursuit of improvement. As India continues its ascent, Sri Lanka’s journey for redemption and competitive parity becomes increasingly compelling.

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