Shafali Verma’s Blazing 79 Powers India to T20I Series Win Against Sri Lanka

India Women continued their dominant run in international cricket as they sealed the five-match T20I series against Sri Lanka Women with a commanding eight-wicket victory in the third T20I at the Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram, on December 26, 2025. The night belonged to Shafali Verma, whose explosive unbeaten 79 off just 42 balls made the chase look effortless and underlined India’s supremacy throughout the series. India’s Bowlers Set the Tone Early After winning the toss, Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur chose to bowl first—a decision that paid immediate dividends. India’s pace and spin combination proved too strong for the Sri Lankan batting lineup. Despite conceding 12 runs in her opening over, Renuka Singh Thakur made a strong comeback, finishing with impressive figures of 4 for 21. Deepti Sharma was equally lethal, picking up 3 for 18, including the crucial wicket of Sri Lankan skipper Chamari Athapaththu, who struggled and managed only 3 runs off 12 balls. Sri Lanka found themselves reeling at 32/3 inside the PowerPlay, never truly recovering from the early damage. Sri Lanka’s Brief Resistance The Sri Lankan middle order showed some resistance through Imesha Dulani, who top-scored with 27 off 32 balls, and Kavisha Dilhari, who played a brisk knock of 20 off just 13 deliveries. However, regular wickets prevented any meaningful momentum. Deepti Sharma reached a major milestone during the innings, claiming her 150th T20I wicket, while Renuka closed her spell with a wicket-maiden over. Sri Lanka eventually crawled to 112/7 in 20 overs, a target that always looked below par. Shafali Verma’s One-Woman Show India’s chase got off to a flying start thanks to Shafali Verma, who attacked from the very first over. Although Smriti Mandhana departed early for 1, Shafali was already in full flow. She smashed the bowlers to all parts of the ground, reaching her half-century in just 24 balls. Her innings was a delightful exhibition of fearless batting, featuring eight fours and two towering sixes. While Jemimah Rodrigues struggled for rhythm, scoring 9 off 15 balls, the result was never in doubt. India raced to 50 runs in just 5.3 overs, showcasing their batting depth and intent. Shafali remained unbeaten on 79, guiding India home alongside Harmanpreet Kaur, as the hosts completed the chase in 13.2 overs, winning with 40 balls to spare. Series Sealed in Style With this emphatic win, India clinched the T20I series, maintaining their flawless run against Sri Lanka. The team’s balance, aggressive batting, and disciplined bowling were once again on full display. Brief Scores Sri Lanka Women: 112/7 in 20 overs (Imesha Dulani 27, Kavisha Dilhari 20; Renuka Singh 4/21, Deepti Sharma 3/18) India Women: 115/2 in 13.2 overs (Shafali Verma 79; Kavisha Dilhari 2/18)*