After two underwhelming and sluggish performances with the bat against New Zealand and Pakistan, and some sloppy fielding to boot, India found themselves facing criticism, with many questioning their intent and preparation. But the team answered their critics in style at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday, silencing the doubters with a dominant 82-run victory against Sri Lanka.
The win came on the back of a strong batting performance, India’s highest team total in the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur opted to bat first, and opening batters Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma delivered a crucial 98-run partnership in just 77 balls. This was a significant turnaround for the duo, who had combined for a paltry 14 runs against New Zealand and 39 runs against Pakistan. The pair’s brisk running between the wickets and intelligent shot selection neutralized the large outfield.
Sri Lanka’s bowling attack, which had been so effective in the Asia Cup, appeared unprepared for the Indian batswomen. They opted for a defensive approach, seemingly too cautious against India’s powerful batting lineup. Chamari Athapaththu finally broke the opening stand in the 13th over, dismissing both Mandhana and Verma in quick succession.
Harmanpreet Kaur, slotted in at number three, then anchored the innings, stitching together two important partnerships with Jemimah Rodrigues and Richa Ghosh. She finished unbeaten on 57 runs, contributing to India’s impressive total of 172/3 in 20 overs.
India’s fielding was also a highlight of the match. Radha Yadav, replacing Harmanpreet Kaur in the field, took a brilliant catch, running to her side from backward point to dismiss Vishmi Gunaratne off the first ball of the chase. Sri Lanka, losing their key batters Athapaththu and Harshita Samarawickrama early on, were never in the hunt. The game was essentially sealed by the third over.
While Sri Lanka stretched the chase to the 20th over, India ultimately achieved a comprehensive victory, claiming their first all-out win of the tournament. The team’s cohesive performance, particularly the effective PowerPlay and Harmanpreet’s crucial contribution, signaled a positive shift.
This dominant victory, India’s biggest margin of victory in the Women’s T20 World Cup, also significantly boosted their net run rate. It was a much-needed performance after their initial struggles, demonstrating India’s potential and capability. With a tough clash against Australia in Sharjah on the horizon, Harmanpreet Kaur and her team will be hoping to build on this momentum and continue their winning ways.
