Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 28 (.) India Women’s top order lit up the 4th T20I against Sri Lanka Women at Greenfield International Stadium with a masterclass in aggressive batting that left the opposition reeling. The story of the innings was defined by the scintillating partnership between Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma, whose power-hitting set the tone for India’s mammoth total of 221 for 2 in 20 overs.
After Sri Lanka Women won the toss and elected to bowl, Mandhana and Shafali came out with intent from the very first ball. Mandhana, opening the innings, wasted no time, threading elegant drives and powerful pulls through the off-side, carving gaps and racing to 50 in a flurry of boundaries.
Shafali complemented her with a mix of audacious strokes and precise timing, moving down the track to punish any short ball and slicing deliveries behind point for easy fours. Together, they raced to a 162-run partnership, a virtual exhibition of attacking cricket.
Mandhana’s 48-ball 80 was a blend of timing, placement, and brute power. She repeatedly found gaps in the Sri Lanka field, lofting over cover and pulling past square leg with ease. Shafali’s 46-ball 79 was equally destructive, marked by a fearless approach that saw her hit 12 fours and a six. Their seamless coordination and running between the wickets frustrated the Sri Lankan bowlers, who had no answers to the duo’s onslaught.
The partnership came to an end in the 16th over, as Mandhana fell to Malsha Shehani and Verma was caught and bowled by Nimasha Madushani. But by then, India had already built a commanding platform, leaving the middle and lower order in a strong position to attack in the death overs.
Mandhana and Shafali’s innings highlighted their contrasting but complementary styles: Mandhana’s elegance and wrist work combined with Shafali’s fearless, front-foot aggression made them the perfect opening pair. They set the tone for India’s dominance, punishing loose deliveries and keeping the scoreboard ticking at an exceptional pace.
Their partnership wasn’t just about runs, it was about asserting control over the game. Every time Sri Lanka tried to stem the flow with a clever field or a strategic variation, Mandhana and Shafali responded with audacious shots, sending a clear message that India was in complete command.
By the time both batswomen departed, India Women were poised for a massive total, and the late flurry from Richa Ghosh (40 off 16) and Harmanpreet Kaur (16 off 10)merely added to the carnage. But it was the Mandhana-Shaali duo that wrote the story of the innings, blending artistry, aggression, and cricketing intelligence to give India a commanding start in the series finale.
This partnership will be remembered not just for the runs, but for the way it exemplified India’s fearless approach in T20 cricket, showcasing two of the country’s brightest stars at their destructive best.
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