Harmanpreet Kaur sizzles as India beat Sri Lanka in 5th T20I to complete series whitewash

Dec 31, 2025

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Harmanpreet Kaur sizzles as India beat Sri Lanka in 5th T20I to complete series whitewash

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India Women wrapped up the T20I series against Sri Lanka on a winning note, defeating the visitors by 15 runs in the fifth and final match at the Greenfield International Stadium. A commanding half-century from Harmanpreet Kaur and a disciplined bowling effort helped the hosts defend a challenging total of 175, despite a strong resistance from Sri Lanka’s top order.

Sri Lanka Women won the toss and opted to bowl first, hoping to exploit early movement under lights. However, India recovered well from a shaky start to post a competitive score, setting up an entertaining run chase in the series finale.

Harmanpreet Kaur anchors India’s innings with sizzling batting

India Women were put under early pressure as Shafali Verma and Gunalan Kamalini departed cheaply, followed soon by Harleen Deol and Richa Ghosh. At one stage, the hosts were searching for stability, and it came through their captain. Harmanpreet produced a captain’s knock, scoring a fluent 68 off 43 balls, laced with nine fours and a six, to rebuild the innings with authority.

Amanjot Kaur provided valuable support with a composed 21, but it was Arundhati Reddy‘s late flourish that lifted India to a strong finish. Reddy smashed 27 off just 11 balls, striking boundaries at will in the death overs to push India Women to 175/7. For Sri Lanka, Kavisha Dilhari and Rashmika Sewwandi were the most effective bowlers, picking up two wickets each, while skipper Chamari Athapaththu also chipped in with two key breakthroughs.

Hasini Perera and Imesha Dulani lead Sri Lanka’s chase

Chasing 176, Sri Lanka Women suffered an early blow as Athapaththu was dismissed cheaply. However, Hasini Perera and Imesha Dulani steadied the innings with an impressive partnership. Perera played an aggressive knock of 65 off 42 balls, finding gaps consistently, while Dulani complemented her well with a composed 50 from 39 deliveries.

The duo kept Sri Lanka firmly in the contest through the middle overs, putting pressure on the Indian bowlers. Despite their efforts, regular wickets at crucial moments prevented Sri Lanka from fully taking control of the chase.

Also READ: Fastest to 10,000 runs in Women’s international cricket ft. Smriti Mandhana

Indian bowlers hold their nerve at the death

With the match finely poised in the final overs, India Women’s bowlers showed composure under pressure. Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Vaishnavi Sharma and Shree Charani picked up one wicket each, while Amanjot and Reddy struck at important junctures to slow the scoring rate.

Sri Lanka managed 160/7 in their 20 overs, falling 15 runs short of the target as India defended their total successfully. The collective bowling effort ensured that late cameos from Rashmika Sewwandi and Malki Madara were not enough to turn the game around. Harmanpreet was deservedly named Player of the Match for her match-defining half-century and calm leadership. Despite a quiet outing in the final game, Shafali was adjudged Player of the Series for her consistent performances throughout the tour.