5th T20I Preview: Ind W vs SL W

Sri Lanka’s tour has been a story of frustration: losing tosses, losing early wickets, and losing games decisively. Yet when allowed to chase, their approach changed. Hasini Perera attacked, Nilakshika Silva contributed late, and suddenly there were runs beyond Chamari Athapaththu.

With the IND vs SL women’s T20 rivalry historically favouring India, Sri Lanka must now show they can apply pressure beyond short bursts. They also know India’s fielding has been less than perfect. Seven dropped catches across the series opened windows that Sri Lanka simply did not climb through. 

India’s Dominance Is Built On Clarity

In the first three games, India’s bowlers kept Sri Lanka under 130 and controlled the tempo, allowing the openers to chase comfortably. The fourth T20I, where Sri Lanka reached 191, finally broke that pattern. That combination means the hosts have barely needed their middle order.

Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma have created platforms, leaving finishing chores minimal. This is both comforting and deceptive: the best teams still crave pressure situations. If Sri Lanka manages to force India deeper, we may finally see how flexible this batting group can be.

Hasini Perera vs India’s Seamers

Hasini Perera helped drive Sri Lanka to 52 without loss in the first four overs, shifting the tone of the match. Her bold stroke-play and assured footwork troubled Renuka Singh and Arundhati Reddy. She has almost 90 T20Is in her career and is seeking one thing that still eludes her maiden T20I fifty.

If she succeeds, Sri Lanka controls the tempo, and if she falls early, India regains the grip it has enjoyed throughout the series. In a contest as tight as IND W vs SL W, the opening exchanges matter enormously.

Shafali Verma vs the Powerplay

On the Indian side, Shafali Verma has been a force of nature. With 236 runs at 185.82, she has erased pressure before it even arrived. Seamers and spinners alike have been dismissed from plans, and Sri Lanka simply hasn’t found a way to slow her down. 

Head to Head (Last 5 Matches)

• IND Women won by 30 runs - 28 Dec 2025

• IND Women won by 8 wickets (40 balls remaining) - 26 Dec 2025
• IND Women won by 7 wickets (49 balls remaining) - 23 Dec 2025
• IND Women won by 8 wickets (32 balls remaining) - 21 Dec 2025
• IND Women won by 82 runs - 09 Oct 2024

Batters to Watch (Recent Stats)

Smriti Mandhana has been in excellent form, scoring 418 runs in 10 matches at an average of 41.8 and a strike rate of 140.26. Shafali Verma has matched that impact with 412 runs from 9 games, averaging 58.86 with a powerful strike rate of 173.1.

For Sri Lanka, Chamari Athapaththu has scored 227 runs across 10 matches, averaging 28.38 with a strike rate of 104.12. Harshitha Samarawickrama has managed 133 runs in 10 outings, averaging 14.78 with a strike rate of 80.6.

Smriti Mandhana seeks 62 more runs to finish as the highest scorer across men and women in 2025. Athapaththu remains Sri Lanka’s player, but she needs consistent support around her.

Bowlers to Watch (Recent Stats)

Deepti Sharma has been one of India’s most reliable performers, taking 14 wickets in 9 matches at an economy rate of 7.11 and a strike rate of 15. Shree Charani has matched that impact with 14 wickets from 9 games, conceding at 7.86 runs per over and striking every 14.07 deliveries.

For Sri Lanka, Kavisha Dilhari has picked up 6 wickets in 10 matches, operating at an economy of 7.59 with a strike rate of 27. Malki Madara has played 6 matches and taken 4 wickets, maintaining an impressive economy rate of 6.3 and a strike rate of 25.

Deepti Sharma stands one dismissal away from becoming the leading wicket-taker in women’s T20Is. For Sri Lanka, containing India rather than destroying it may be the real victory.

Recent Performance

India Women

India comes into the 5th T20I in strong form, having won four of their last five matches. Their most recent result was a 30-run victory against Sri Lanka on December 28, 2025. The team looks confident, organised, and very much in control as they head into the final game of the series.

Sri Lanka Women

Sri Lanka, on the other hand, has struggled for consistency, as their last five completed matches include four defeats, with one no-result. Their latest outing was also a 30-run loss to India on December 28, 2025. The defeats have been tough, but the fight they showed in the previous match gives them something positive to build on going into this final contest.

Probable XIs

IND W

Mandhana, Shafali, Rodrigues/Deol, Harmanpreet, Richa/Kamalini, Deepti, Amanjot, Renuka/Reddy, Kranti Gaud, Vaishnavi Sharma, Shree Charani

SL W

Athapaththu, Hasini Perera, Samarawickrama, Dulani, Nilakshika Silva, Nuthyangana, Dilhari, Kavindi/Madara, Ranaweera, Shehani, Meepage

The match will be played at Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram, on December 30, 2025. 

Conditions and Strategy

Batting should again feel comfortable, though new-ball movement could shape the first overs. Bowlers will need discipline, and captains will think deeply about risk vs reward at the death.

Humidity and late-evening grip variations will add intrigue to this final IND vs SL women’s T20 battle.

For India, this match offers the chance to complete a third-ever 5–0 T20I sweep while reinforcing the ruthless mindset they have built ahead of a World Cup year. It is also an opportunity for stars like Smriti Mandhana and Deepti Sharma to chase significant personal milestones, adding further weight to the contest from the hosts' perspective.

For Sri Lanka, the motivation is different but equally important. They are desperate to avoid their first 5–0 series defeat and want to show that their squad has depth beyond Chamari Athapaththu. More than anything, they see this final game as a chance to leave the tour with belief restored and something tangible to build on.

Final Word

India stands on the edge of perfection. Sri Lanka stands on the brink of redemption. The final IND W vs SL W contest may not change the series result, but it will shape narratives going forward. Whether it becomes another powerful statement from India women’s cricket, or a spirited farewell punch from Sri Lanka, this matchup promises intent, ambition, and a fitting conclusion.