Deepti and Renuka Return as Ind Choose to Bowl; SL Ring the Changes

India won the toss and decided to bowl in the third T20I against Sri Lanka. It was the first international match to be played in Thiruvananthapuram.

India already holds a 2-0 lead over the series, and has strengthened their assault, with a call on fast bowler Renuka Singh, in place of Arundhati Reddy. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur said the move was about taking the “aggressive option” in the powerplay. Allrounder Deepti Sharma also returned after missing the previous match due to illness, replacing Sneh Rana.

Sri Lanka responded by making three changes and handed a debut to 26-year-old left-arm spinner Nimasha Meepage, while Imesha Dulani and Malsha Snehani also came in. Dropping out were Kawya Kavindi, Shashini Gimhani, and opener Vishmi Gunaratne as the visitors looked to stay alive in the series.

During the pitch report, Mithali Raj suggested there “might not be too much turn on this wicket”, adding that dew could become a major factor later in the night, something that could influence the chase.

Sri Lanka lost both their matches by huge margins in the first two games at Visakhapatnam, scoring less than 130 runs. Changing the squads on both the opposing sides, the third T20I is a critical opportunity for the visiting team to make a comeback and for the Indian team to gain total domination in the series.

Teams

India:

Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (capt), Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Amanjot Kaur, Kranti Gaud, Vaishnavi Sharma, N Shree Charani, Renuka Singh

Sri Lanka:

Chamari Athapaththu (capt), Hasini Perera, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Kavisha Dilhari, Nilakshika Silva, Imesha Dulani, Kaushini Nuthyangana (wk), Malsha Snehani, Inoka Ranaweera, Malki Madara, Nimasha Madushani