Jemimah Rodrigues' Blitz Steers India To Clinch Commanding Victory Over Sri Lanka In Visakhapatnam, Women In Blue Take 1-0 Lead In T20Is

India Women vs Sri Lanka Women: Harmanpreet Kaur-led Team India clinched a commanding eight-wicket win over Chamari Athapaththu's Sri Lanka in the first T20I match of the series, at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam, on Sunday, December 21.

With the win, the Women in Blue took a 1-0 lead in the five-match T20I series against Sri Lanka. Jemimah Rodrigues was named the ‘Player of the Match’ following her unbeaten knock during the run chase.

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Harmanpreet Kaur-led India won the toss and decided to bowl against Sri Lanka in Visakhapatnam. The decision went in the Women in Blue's favour as they restricted Sri Lanka at 121/6, and chased down the given target without any problem.

Sri Lankan batters fell prey to the Indian bowling attack as they failed to cement a solid partnership in the first innings.

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Deepti Sharma Leads Indian Bowling Attack

Vishmi Gunaratne (39 runs from 43 balls, 1 four and 1 six) was the lone run-scorer for the Sri Lankan, but she had to depart after a runout in the fifth delivery of the 18th over. Rest, no other batters could shine in the first T20I match of the series.

The 38-run partnership between Vishmi Gunaratne and Harshitha Madavi (21 runs from 23 balls, 2 fours) played a crucial role for Sri Lanka to cross the 100-run mark. Vishmi also solidified a 31-run partnership with Hasini Perera (20 runs from 23 balls, 2 fours), which helped Sri Lanka reach 121/6 in the first innings.

Kranti Gaud made the first breakthrough of the innings after she dismissed Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu (15 runs from 12 balls, 3 fours) in the fifth delivery of the third over. Deepti Sharma dismissed Hasini Perera for 20 runs in the first delivery of the 10th over. In the third delivery of the 16th over, Shree Charani removed Harshitha Madavi (21 runs from 23 balls, 2 fours) from the crease.

The fielding has been stunning from the Women in Blue, apart from Shree Charani, who dropped two catches in the first innings.

Deepti Sharma led the Indian bowling attack after taking one wicket and giving 20 runs in her four-over spell.

Jemimah Rodrigues' Explosive Knock Helps India Clinch Dominating Win Over Sri Lanka

During the run chase, India suffered an early blow after Kawya Kavindi dismissed opener Shafali Verma (9 runs from 5 balls, 2 fours) in the second delivery of the second over.

After losing one wicket, Smriti Mandhana (25 runs from 25 balls, four fours) and Jemimah Rodrigues (69* runs from 44 balls, 10 fours) held control of the chase, after stitching a 54-run partnership. It was broken in the first delivery of the ninth over when Inoka Ranaweera removed Mandhana for 25 runs.

After losing Smriti Mandhana, Rodrigues cemented a solid 55-run partnership with Harmanpreet Kaur (15* runs from 16 balls), helping India clinch a dominating victory in Visakhapatnam.

In the end, Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet Kaur stayed unbeaten on the crease and guided India's eight-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the first T20I match of the series.

Sri Lankan bowling attack displayed a sluggish performance while defending the target. Kawya Kavindi and Inoka Ranaweera were the only wicket-takers for the visitors in the first T20I.

Next, Harmanpreet Kaur-led Team India will play against Chamari Athapaththu's Sri Lanka in the second T20I match of the series, on Tuesday, December 23.