Harmanpreet Guides India To Perfect 5-0 Finish Over Sri Lanka

India produced another composed all-round performance to seal a 15-run win in the final T20I, closing out the series 5-0. Their total of 175 for 7, shaped beautifully by Harmanpreet Kaur’s 68 off 43 balls, proved just enough as Sri Lanka were restricted to 160 for 7 despite spirited batting from Hasini Perera and Imesha Dulani.

Deepti Sharma moved past Megan Schutt to become the highest wicket-taker in women’s T20Is, taking her tally to 152. With this result, India completed their third clean sweep in a five-match T20I series after earlier successes in 2019 and 2024, joining England as the only other team with three such whitewashes.

Sri Lanka Breakthrough Early

The visitors struck quickly and earned crucial breakthroughs even without much help from the pitch. Shafali Verma, who had registered three straight half-centuries coming into the match, fell for 5 to Nimisha Meepage. Debutant G Kamalini was trapped lbw by Kavisha Dilhari soon after, leaving India reeling at 41 for 3 in what became their lowest powerplay score of the series.

Rashmika Sewwandi bowled Harleen Deol, while Richa Ghosh nicked off to Chamari Athapaththu. Deepti Sharma followed soon after, mistiming a sweep to short fine leg. At 77 for 5, India were under real pressure and needed stability.

 

Harmanpreet Rebuilds With Control And Power

Walking in earlier than expected, Harmanpreet Kaur took charge of the innings with measured aggression. She maneuvered the field, punished loose deliveries, and reached her first T20I fifty since October 2024 in 35 balls.

Her battle against Inoka Ranaweera stood out as she gathered 31 runs off 17 deliveries against the left-armer, using clever footwork and placement. Harmanpreet eventually inside-edged an arm ball from Dilhari onto her stumps while on 68, leaving India 142 for 7 in the 18th over. Until then, she had single-handedly kept the innings stitched together.

 

Lower Order Delivers At Crucial Moment

Amanjot Kaur added a composed 21 off 18, sharing a 61-run stand with the captain that steadied India. Later, Arundhati Reddy was promoted and played a decisive cameo, smashing 27 not out from 11 balls with four boundaries and a six.

That acceleration lifted India to 175 for 7, with 32 runs flowing in the final two overs.

Perera And Dulani Keep Sri Lanka In The Contest

Sri Lanka’s chase suffered an early setback when Athapaththu departed in the second over. Perera and Dulani, though, countered confidently. Dulani’s 50 featured smart shot selection and confident advances down the ground, while Perera rotated the strike brilliantly.

Their 79-run stand brought the contest alive until Amanjot removed Dulani with her first delivery. Perera went on to notch her maiden T20I fifty off 38 balls and continued to fight as the chase entered the closing stages.

However, when the asking rate climbed to 55 off 24, India struck back. Perera’s dismissal on 65 broke Sri Lanka’s rhythm, and the visitors slipped from 132 for 4 to 140 for 7, and ultimately closed on 160 for 7, remaining winless on the tour.