Published on October 10, 2024 by Kariuki Mwangi
Last Updated on 2 years by Kariuki Mwangi
By Deepak Sharma (Indian Correspondent)
E-mail: spacewalker008@gmail.com
Dubai, UAE (09-10-2024): India strengthened their chances of reaching the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 semi-finals with a commanding 82-run win over Sri Lanka in Dubai.
Smriti Mandhana (50) and Shafali Verma (43) set the platform with a powerful 98-run opening partnership, and Harmanpreet Kaur’s explosive 52 powered India to 172/3—the highest total of the tournament so far. In response, Sri Lanka was bowled out for just 90, sealing their group-stage exit after a third consecutive defeat.
India, opting to bat first, saw Verma play the aggressor early on, achieving the milestone of 2,000 T20I runs and becoming the youngest player to do so. Mandhana soon found her rhythm, smashing the first six of the match and reaching her half-century in just 36 balls. However, just as India seemed on course for an even bigger score, Sri Lanka managed a quick double strike.
Mandhana was run out by Ama Kanchana for 50 after a slight hesitation while running between the wickets. On the very next ball, Verma top-edged a delivery from Chamari Athapaththu into the hands of Vishmi Gunaratne, leaving India with two new batters at the crease.
Jemimah Rodrigues (16) and Kaur took over from there, though both batters had moments of fortune. Rodrigues was dismissed soon after being dropped, but Kaur made the most of her chance, hammering her way to a lightning-fast 52 off 27 balls—her 13th and fastest T20I fifty. Kaur’s innings concluded with a boundary off the final ball, pushing India to an imposing total of 172.
Sri Lanka’s hopes of chasing the target crumbled early. Radha Yadav’s stunning catch removed Gunaratne off the second ball of the innings, and Athapaththu followed in the next over, with Harshitha Samarawickrama falling shortly after. Sri Lanka found themselves in deep trouble at 6/3 within three overs.
Despite resistance from Kavisha Dilhari (21) and Anushka Sanjeewani (20), Sri Lanka never recovered as India’s spinners tightened their grip on the game. Arundhati Reddy (3/19) and Asha Sobhana (3/19) shared six wickets between them, ensuring Sri Lanka’s collapse, with the final wicket falling with one ball remaining.
India’s emphatic win keeps their semi-final ambitions alive, while Sri Lanka’s tournament ends in disappointment.
Match Summary
India: 172/3 in 20 overs (Harmanpreet Kaur 52, Smriti Mandhana 50; Ama Kanchana 1/29, Chamari Athapaththu 1/34)
Sri Lanka: 90 all out in 19.5 overs (Kavisha Dilhari 21, Anushka Sanjeewani 20; Arundhati Reddy 3/19, Asha Sobhana 3/19)
Result: India won by 82 runs.
