Women's T20 World Cup 2024: India crush Sri Lanka with record 82-run victory

India registers a record 82-run victory over Sri Lanka (Image X/@BCCIWomen)

India produced a superb all-round performance to register their biggest-ever victory in a Women’s T20 World Cup, defeating Sri Lanka by 82 runs. Their commanding display saw them post a staggering 172/3, followed by an emphatic bowling effort to dismiss Sri Lanka for just 90. Opting to bat first, India got off to a slow start as Smriti Mandhana struggled to find her rhythm in the powerplay. However, her partner, Shafali Verma, kept the scoreboard ticking with crucial boundaries, ensuring that India reached 41/0 at the end of six overs. Smriti soon found her groove, playing elegant inside-out shots to bring up a half-century, outscoring Shafali, who also contributed 40.

A brief wobble occurred when both openers were dismissed off successive deliveries by Chamari Athapaththu – Smriti through a run-out and Shafali caught as she miscued the ball. This provided Sri Lanka a glimmer of hope, but Jemimah Rodrigues played a breezy cameo of 16, and Harmanpreet Kaur delivered a captain’s knock. Starting cautiously, Harmanpreet accelerated in the death overs, smashing the pacers to all parts of the ground to reach a blistering 27-ball fifty, India’s fastest in Women’s T20 World Cups.

With 18 fours and two sixes, India finished with a daunting total of 172, one eye on boosting their net run rate. This was also the first instance of three Indian batters registering 40-plus scores in a T20I innings. Defending 172, India wasted no time in dismantling Sri Lanka’s chase. Radha Yadav set the tone in the opening over with a stunning catch to dismiss Vishmi Gunaratne. Shreyanka Patil followed up by removing the dangerous Athapaththu in the second over. Sri Lanka found themselves reeling at 6/3, a position they never recovered from.

Kavisha Dilhari and Anushka Sanjeewani provided some resistance, but with wickets tumbling regularly, Sri Lanka folded for 90. Arundhati Reddy and Asha Sobhana each claimed three wickets, while all five Indian bowlers got on the wicket sheet.

India’s commanding victory knocked Sri Lanka out of the tournament. Harmanpreet’s fastest fifty in the format and an all-round bowling performance ensured India ended the game with a significant boost to their net run rate. Up next are Australia, favourites and defending champions.