In a display of sheer dominance, the Indian women’s cricket team delivered a commanding performance against Sri Lanka in a crucial Group A match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, held on October 10 at the illustrious Dubai International Cricket Stadium. India, propelled by the brilliant opening duo of Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana, secured a win that not only showcased their caliber but also boosted their standing in the competition. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur was effusive in her praise for the two dynamic batters who were instrumental in building the foundation for India’s towering victory.
The opening partnership was nothing short of spectacular. With the pressure mounting in a do-or-die fixture, Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana stepped up to the occasion, putting together a formidable 98-run partnership in just 12.4 overs. Their performance was a masterclass in strategic batting — balancing caution with aggression to seize control of the match. Smriti Mandhana, in particular, was in an aggressive mood, delivering a blazing fifty off 38 balls, which included four boundaries and a maximum. Her attacking gameplay set the tone for India’s innings and left the Sri Lankan bowlers scrambling for answers.
Shafali Verma, complementing her partner brilliantly, also delivered a strong performance. Scoring 43 runs off 40 balls, with four well-timed boundaries, she maintained a healthy strike rate of 107.50. It was a calculated innings filled with glimpses of her trademark power-hitting, and together with Smriti, she laid a rock-solid foundation for what would become an unforgettable match for the Indian team.
Harmanpreet Kaur was full of admiration for the openers in the post-match presentation, saying, “We just wanted to go with the momentum, Shafali and Smriti gave us a good start. Credit goes to them. They were there on the pitch, calculative, didn’t throw the wicket away.” This acknowledgment serves as a testament to the discipline and synergy that the pair demonstrated on the field, pacing their innings methodically before ramping up the aggression to exploit the gaps and capitalize on scoring opportunities.
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The match, however, was not only about the fireworks from the openers. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur etched her name in the record books with a remarkable innings of her own. By scoring a blistering 52* off just 27 balls, Harmanpreet set a new benchmark, recording the all-time fastest fifty by an Indian player in the Women’s T20 World Cup. This achievement broke the previous record held by none other than her teammate Smriti Mandhana, who had scored a 31-ball fifty against Australia in the 2018 edition of the tournament.
Reflecting on her incredible innings, Harmanpreet shared, “Jemi and I, we just wanted to score seven-eight runs an over. It was one of the days when I was in my zone; whenever the ball was in my zone, I went hard. I was only thinking about positives. This wicket was not true to batting; you have to keep rotating the strike. Once the ball is in your zone, you can go for it. It’s not like you can keep swinging the bat. We were there and didn’t throw the wicket away. Really happy for the team.”
India’s comprehensive victory had significant implications for the tournament, knocking Sri Lanka out of the semifinal race and marking India’s largest victory margin in the history of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. This triumph not only provided a pivotal boost in confidence but also propelled India forward in the group standings, placing them ahead of regional rivals Pakistan in Group A, while South Africa continued to lead Group B.
In this tournament of high stakes and exhilarating performances, Harmanpreet Kaur, Shafali Verma, and Smriti Mandhana have unquestionably positioned themselves and their team as formidable contenders. Their performances have set a high bar and provided a glimpse into the relentless spirit and skill of Indian women’s cricket. As India marches forward in the tournament, the remarkable synergy between these players will be crucial if they hope to clinch the title and make their mark on the international stage.
