Captain Chamari Athapaththu scored 80 runs in 48 balls as soon as Sri Lanka was dismissed. India by seven wickets in the third and final T20I to avoid a whitewash on Monday.
The 32-year-old Chamari hit 14 fours and a six and in the process became the only cricketer from the island nation to reach the 2000-run mark in T20Is. Tillakaratne Dilshan (1889) is the highest run-scorer among Sri Lankan male cricketers.
Chasing a modest 139 to avoid a clean sweep by the Indians, Sri Lanka’s batting finally went well as the hosts chased down the target with three overs to spare to claim a consolation win.
The three-match T20I series thus ended 2–1 in India’s favour, having raised their total after captain Harmanpreet Kaur opted to bat before an unbeaten 39 (33b; 3×4, 1×6). 138 for five wickets.
In reply, Sri Lanka lost Vishmi Gunaratne (5) in the first over, but Harshita Samarawickrama (13) provided good support to Chamari in the powerplay before being dismissed by Radha Yadav in the fifth over.
Next, Nilakshi de Silva (30 off 28 balls) joined hands with Chamari as the captain scored a 29-ball fifty – Sri Lanka’s fastest half-century for women’s T20Is.
Luck was on their side as Chamari was relieved for 42 when Jemima Rodrigues missed a run in the midwicket boundary. He soon hit four boundaries on his way to his fifth T20I fifty.
Chamari looked furious, with Sri Lanka needing just 18 runs from the last five overs and the hosts sealed it without much ado to register their maiden T20I win against India at home.
India were sluggish on the field and missed several run outs and signed off the T20I series on a disappointing note.
India Women vs Sri Lanka Women 2022, 3rd T20I Highlights
Earlier, India stumbled in the middle overs after Smriti Mandhana (21b to 22) and Sabbhineni Meghna (26b to 22) were bowled out for 51 for three by the visiting team.
The duo looked well under control in a 41-run second wicket partnership after the talented Shafali Verma (5) fell in the opening over, but the run-rate dried up as the hosts bounced back with the help of some fine fielding.
There was a lull in the middle as India struggled to get going with Harmanpreet and Jemimah Rodrigues off 38 balls.
The two finally broke the bond in the 13th over as Jemima showed intent to attack in her 30-ball 33 (3×4) while the captain was a square off.
Jemimah fell in the final over, but Harmanpreet looked in firm control and displayed her shots during her 33-ball knock, which included three fours and a six.
After Jemima departed, Harmanpreet took charge and posted a total of 49 runs in the last five overs along with Pooja Vastrakar.
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