India stormed to a fourth straight win in the series after a breathtaking batting display powered them to 221/2, before the bowlers held their nerve to seal a 30-run victory over Sri Lanka in Thiruvananthapuram. It was a night of record-breaking strokeplay from both sides, as India and Sri Lanka posted their highest-ever women’s T20I totals, turning the series on its head after three low-scoring matches.
The platform came from a sensational 162-run opening stand between Smriti Mandhana (80) and Shafali Verma (79), India’s highest opening partnership in women’s T20Is. Shafali continued her golden run with a third straight fifty, while Mandhana roared back to form in style, smashing 11 fours and 3 sixes and also climbing to the top of the yearly international run-scoring charts with 1,703 runs.
And if that wasn’t enough, Richa Ghosh walked in and detonated the death overs, launching a brutal 40* off just 16 balls. Her late burst, including a 23-run assault in the 19th over, powered India beyond 220 and left Sri Lanka chasing a mountain despite their strong start.
Sri Lanka responded bravely as Chamari Athapaththu (52) and Hasini Perera (33) blazed away to 52/0 inside four overs, keeping the chase alive deep into the innings. Athapaththu’s counterattack featured three sixes, but once she fell to Vaishnavi Sharma (2/24), the momentum slipped away. Despite useful late cameos, Sri Lanka eventually closed on 191/6, falling short but playing their part in one of the most entertaining T20Is in recent memory.
With this win, India take an unassailable 4-0 series lead, but the big statement was about intent, fearless batting, ruthless finishing, and a lineup brimming with confidence as the final T20I awaits.
