Disciplined Bowling Attack: Renuka Singh and Deepti Sharma Stifle Sri Lanka

The foundation of India’s victory was laid in the first innings by the returning senior bowlers. Renuka Singh Thakur, who was rested in the previous encounter, made an emphatic comeback by ripping through the Sri Lankan top and middle order. Her ability to swing the ball both ways was on full display as she finished with exceptional figures of 4 for 21. Her early breakthroughs put Sri Lanka on the back foot from the opening over, preventing the visitors from ever establishing a steady run rate or building a partnership of substance.

Complementing Renuka’s pace was the tactical brilliance of off-spinner Deepti Sharma. Sharma, who entered the match on the cusp of history, delivered a masterclass in control and flight. By taking 3 wickets for 18 runs in her four overs, she not only derailed Sri Lanka’s late-inning acceleration but also achieved the monumental milestone of 150 wickets in T20 Internationals. She now stands level with Australia’s Megan Schutt as the leading wicket-taker in the history of the format, a testament to her longevity and consistency as one of the world’s premier all-rounders.

Sri Lanka’s batting performance was headlined by a lack of intent and poor shot selection. Captain Chamari Athapaththu, usually the linchpin of their batting, was dismissed for just 3 runs off 12 balls, a dismissal that set a somber tone for the rest of the innings. While Imesha Dulani (27 off 32) and Hasini Perera showed brief flashes of resistance, the lack of support from the other end meant they could only scramble to a total that was never likely to challenge a batting lineup as deep as India’s. The Greenfield pitch, which offered some early assistance to the seamers, became significantly easier to bat on as the evening progressed, leaving the Sri Lankan total well below par.

Key Performance Statistics and Match Highlights

The following details outline the statistical dominance and key turning points that defined the third T20I between India and Sri Lanka:

Renuka Singh’s Lethal Spell: The right-arm pacer’s 4-wicket haul was instrumental in dismantling the Sri Lankan top order. She utilized the humid conditions in Thiruvananthapuram to extract late movement, accounting for key wickets during the powerplay and effectively ending any hopes of a competitive Sri Lankan total.
Deepti Sharma’s Historic 150th Wicket: By dismissing the Sri Lankan middle order, Deepti Sharma became the first Indian and second player globally to reach 150 T20I wickets. Her economy rate remained below 5.00 throughout the match, putting immense pressure on the batters to take risks that ultimately led to their downfall.
Shafali Verma’s Explosive 79*: The opener’s unbeaten 79 came off just 42 deliveries, featuring 11 boundaries and a towering six. Her strike rate of nearly 190 ensured that the run chase was completed with more than six overs to spare, highlighting the aggressive “Blue” brand of cricket India is currently fostering.
Harmanpreet Kaur’s Captaincy Record: With this win, Harmanpreet Kaur secured her 77th victory as captain of the Indian T20I side. This achievement places her at the top of the list for most wins by a captain in women’s T20Is, surpassing legends of the game and solidifying her legacy as a leader.
Sri Lanka’s Batting Woes: The visitors failed to cross the 120-run mark for the third consecutive game in the series. Their inability to handle India’s spin-pace combination has resulted in them losing a combined total of 22 wickets across three matches while scoring at less than 6 runs per over.
Series Clinching Victory: This 8-wicket win marks India’s 23rd victory over Sri Lanka in T20Is. The 3-0 lead ensures that even if Sri Lanka wins the remaining two dead rubbers, India will remain the series victors, maintaining their unbeaten streak at home this season.

Shafali Verma’s Masterclass: A One-Sided Run Chase

If the first half of the match belonged to the bowlers, the second half was entirely the Shafali Verma show. Chasing 113 for a series win, India lost Smriti Mandhana early for a single-digit score, but that proved to be the only moment of concern for the hosts. Shafali, who has been in sensational form throughout 2025, played with a level of freedom that left the Sri Lankan bowlers searching for answers. She took a particular liking to the spinners, repeatedly stepping out of her crease to loft the ball over the infield.

Verma reached her half-century in just 27 balls, marking one of the fastest fifties in the series. Her partnership with Jemimah Rodrigues was brief but effective, keeping the scoreboard ticking at a rate of nearly nine runs per over. After Rodrigues was dismissed trying to accelerate further, captain Harmanpreet Kaur joined Verma in the middle. The two senior players displayed excellent running between the wickets, though Verma did most of the heavy lifting with her boundary-hitting prowess. The match ended with Verma smashing a boundary over mid-on, clinical execution that summarized the gulf in class between the two squads.

The ease with which India chased the target suggests that the Sri Lankan bowling unit lacked a clear “Plan B” once their initial breakthroughs failed to materialize. Kavisha Dilhari was the pick of the bowlers for Sri Lanka, taking 2 for 18, but she received little support from the other end. Inoka Ranaweera, usually a reliable source of wickets and control, was expensive, as Shafali Verma targeted her specifically to disrupt the spin rhythm. The lack of scoreboard pressure allowed India to experiment with their shot-making, further demoralizing the visiting side.

Strategic Implications for the 2026 T20 World Cup

This series serves as a vital barometer for India’s readiness for the next global cycle. The coaching staff, led by Amol Muzumdar, has focused on creating a “fearless” batting culture, which was evident in how Shafali Verma approached the chase despite an early wicket. Furthermore, the rotation of players like Sneh Rana and Arundhati Reddy in this match indicates a desire to build a versatile squad where every player is match-ready. The emergence of Vaishnavi Sharma as a reliable option in the middle overs adds another layer to India’s bowling depth.

For Sri Lanka, the takeaways are more urgent. Despite winning the Women’s Asia Cup earlier in the cycle, their performance in bilateral series against top-tier teams like India and Australia remains a concern. The heavy reliance on Chamari Athapaththu continues to be their Achilles’ heel. When the captain fails to fire, the rest of the lineup appears to lose confidence, leading to the collapses seen in Visakhapatnam and Thiruvananthapuram. To be competitive in the 2026 World Cup, the Sri Lankan cricket board will need to invest in developing more power-hitters and consistent middle-order anchors.

The remaining two matches of the series, also to be held in Thiruvananthapuram, offer India the chance to test their bench strength. Players who have not yet had significant game time may be brought into the XI, while the core group focuses on maintaining the high standards of fielding and fitness that have characterized their recent successes. For the fans in Kerala, the sight of a dominant Indian team has been a treat, as international women’s cricket returned to the state after a significant hiatus.

India vs Sri Lanka Women’s T20I Series Overview

The 2025-26 series between India and Sri Lanka has been a showcase of India’s growth as a powerhouse in women’s cricket. Below is a summary of the series progression leading up to this point:

1st T20I (Visakhapatnam): India won by 8 wickets. Sri Lanka posted 126/6, but an unbeaten 69 from Jemimah Rodrigues and a steady 4000th-run milestone for Smriti Mandhana saw India home comfortably in 14.4 overs.
2nd T20I (Visakhapatnam): India won by 7 wickets. Sri Lanka managed 128/9. Shafali Verma’s 69 off 34 balls decimated the target in just 11.5 overs, showcasing India’s intent to finish games early.
3rd T20I (Thiruvananthapuram): India won by 8 wickets. A career-best style spell from Renuka Singh (4/21) and Shafali Verma’s 79* sealed the series 3-0. Deepti Sharma also reached her 150th T20I wicket.
Top Scorer: Shafali Verma currently leads the run charts for the series, with two half-centuries and an average exceeding 100 due to her unbeaten knocks.
Top Wicket-Taker: Deepti Sharma and Renuka Singh Thakur are tied at the top, though Deepti’s milestone of 150 wickets has garnered significant international attention.
Venues: The series began in the coastal city of Visakhapatnam before moving to the lush, bowling-friendly conditions of the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram for the final three matches.

Pro Tips for Following International Women’s Cricket

For fans and aspiring cricketers looking to deepen their understanding of the game and the current series, these expert insights provide a better perspective on the tactical side of T20Is:

Watch the Powerplay Intent: Notice how India uses Shafali Verma to maximize the first six overs. In modern T20I cricket, scoring 50+ in the powerplay often decides the momentum of the entire game.
Understand Match-ups: Observe how Harmanpreet Kaur brings on Deepti Sharma specifically when left-handed batters like Chamari Athapaththu are at the crease. Turning the ball away from the bat is a standard but effective tactical “match-up.”
Fielding Placements: Pay attention to the “inner circle” during the middle overs. India often keeps five fielders up to save singles, forcing the Sri Lankan batters to hit over the top, which leads to wickets.
Player Milestones: Follow players on official platforms like BCCI.tv to understand the context of milestones, such as Deepti Sharma’s 150 wickets, which reflect years of tactical evolution in bowling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won the player of the match in the 3rd T20I?

Shafali Verma was named the Player of the Match for her explosive unbeaten 79 off 42 balls, which ensured India chased down the target of 113 with 40 balls to spare. Her innings included 11 fours and 1 six.

What record did Deepti Sharma break during this match?

Deepti Sharma became the second bowler in the history of women’s T20 Internationals to reach 150 wickets. She is now tied with Australia’s Megan Schutt as the leading wicket-taker in the format.

Is the India vs Sri Lanka T20 series over?

While India has won the series by taking a 3-0 lead, there are still two matches remaining in the five-match series. These will be played at the Greenfield International Stadium on December 28 and December 30, 2025.

Where can I watch the highlights of the IND W vs SL W matches?

Official highlights are available on the BCCI.tv website and the Jiostar app. In India, the matches are telecast live on the Star Sports Network.

Why did Renuka Singh Thakur not play the 2nd T20I?

Renuka Singh Thakur was rested for the second T20I as part of the team’s workload management strategy. She returned for the 3rd T20I and immediately made an impact with a four-wicket haul.

Conclusion

The third T20 International between India and Sri Lanka was a masterclass in professional cricket, showcasing the immense depth and talent of the Indian women’s team. By securing a 3-0 series lead, the Women in Blue have not only asserted their dominance over their neighbors but have also sent a strong message to the cricketing world ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The record-breaking feats of Deepti Sharma and the captaincy milestones of Harmanpreet Kaur add a layer of historical significance to a series that has otherwise been defined by India’s sheer clinical efficiency. As the tour remains in Thiruvananthapuram for the final two games, the focus will likely shift to further squad experimentation, but the hunger for a clean sweep remains evident. For Sri Lanka, the remaining fixtures are an opportunity for soul-searching and tactical recalibration as they look to salvage pride on a tour where they have been outplayed in every department.