IND-W vs SL-W preview: Hosts comfortably moving towards 5-0, but trying fresh faces need of the hour

IND-W vs SL-W 3rd T20I: The kind of form Harmanpreet & Co. are in, they should be looking at 5-0 white-wash.

Ever since their World Cup 2025 win, this Indian team led by Harmanpreet Kaur, hasn’t put a foot wrong, in the ongoing series vs Sri Lanka. Yes, it has been only two T20Is, but it is the sheer dominance in those, that has been pleasing for the fans. Yes, again, the opposition isn’t the strongest, but India bowled exceptionally well, batting was superb, and fielding looked a bit better/improved.

Now, it is time for the team to close the series, as the caravan moves to Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram, for the last three matches. And only 5-0 will be a fair result for the series.

IND vs SL, as it happened

The script for both Vizag T20Is was largely similar. Sri Lanka batted first — scored less than 130, and India chased down with 8 & wickets, respectively. Shafali Verma and Jemimah Rodrigues have been among the runs, while all bowlers have been equally good. One word for Jemi — she seems to have found out a way to up the ante without bringing the power-element in er game.

Her career strike-rate is in excess of 117 — over the course of 114 matches, where she has only hit 22 sixes. That only shows, he fitness is top-notch, runs well, and hits a lot of fours. So, her risk-free cricket offers a lot to the team.

About Greenfield International Stadium

The Indian women’s team has never played at the this venue in Kerala. But what can the team expect? History tells us, that it could be difficult wicket to bat on; but the batters should be ready. If there comes a chance, it would be a good time to test the batting line-up first up. Anything in the range of 170-180 could be a good challenge to achieve – though that said, SL look out of bounds from that total, either in the first innings or second.

Too much dependence on Chamari Athapaththu

Only SL skipper Chamari Athapaththu is world-class batter in the entire team. So, obviously, if she has a bad game, the team falters too. They might bowl well, field well, but batting is only about the captain getting runs. And that has not been the case in the series so far. In fact, the others seems to be providing lack of support to Chamari.

In 73 matches, her opening partner Vishmi Gunaratne averages 18, with a strike-rate of 88. Hasini Perera in 86 matches averages 12, with a strike-rate of 79. Harshitha Samarawickrama is somewhat better — with 1581 runs at an average of 28, but needs to stick around at the wicket with her leader. That is a batting line-up which poses no real threat.

Chance to try youngsters for India

Left-arm spinner Vaishnavi Sharma has been persisted with and has picked up two wickets, but perhaps it is time now to look at G Kamalini as well. An opening batter, she was part of the U19 T20 World Cup winning squad in 2025. If not at the top of the order, she could definitely be accommodated in the middle-order.

Full Squads

Sri Lanka Women Squad: Vishmi Gunaratne, Chamari Athapaththu(c), Hasini Perera, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Kavisha Dilhari, Nilakshika Silva, Kaushani Nuthyangana(w), Shashini Gimhani, Kawya Kavindi, Malki Madara, Inoka Ranaweera, Malsha Shehani, Imesha Dulani, Rashmika Sewwandi, Nimesha Madushani.

India Women Squad: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur(c), Richa Ghosh(w), Amanjot Kaur, Sneh Rana, Arundhati Reddy, Vaishnavi Sharma, Kranti Gaud, Shree Charani, G Kamalini, Renuka Singh Thakur, Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma.