India Women Clinch Series Lead With Record-Breaking Total

India Women continued their dominant run in the T20I series as they defeated Sri Lanka Women by 30 runs in the fourth match at the Greenfield International Stadium on Saturday, extending their lead to an unassailable 4-0 with one game to spare.

On a flat Thiruvananthapuram surface that offered little margin for error, India Women produced their most complete batting performance of the series, posting a towering 221 for 2; their highest total in women’s T20 internationals. 

Sri Lanka responded with intent and ambition, racing through the early overs and eventually registering their own highest T20I score of 191 for 6, but the scale of India’s total left them chasing the game throughout the second half.

Record Opening Stand Sets the Tone

Asked to bat first after Sri Lanka Women opted to field, India’s openers removed any early advantage the visitors hoped to gain. Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma settled quickly before unleashing a sustained assault on the bowling attack, punishing anything short or overpitched and rotating strike with ease when boundaries dried up.

The pair added 162 runs for the opening wicket, the highest partnership for any wicket in India Women’s T20I history. Mandhana's 80 from 48 deliveries included crisp drives through cover and authoritative pulls, an innings that also carried her past the landmark of 10,000 international runs.

At the other end, Shafali played the role she has made her own throughout the series. She attacked from the outset, targeting the powerplay and forcing fielding changes early. Her 79 off 46 balls brought up a third consecutive half-century in the series and ensured Sri Lanka never found a foothold with the ball.

Even after the openers departed, India refused to ease off. Richa Ghosh walked in with license to attack and delivered exactly that, smashing an unbeaten 40 from just 16 balls. The penultimate over, which yielded 23 runs, effectively pushed the total beyond Sri Lanka’s reach.

Sri Lanka’s Bold Chase Falls Short

Chasing 222, Sri Lankan openers took on the new ball and reached 50 in just the fourth over. Hasini Perera set the tempo with a brisk 33, while Athapaththu's 52 from 37 balls kept Sri Lanka in contention, but the required rate continued to climb. Their dismissal, caught while attempting to clear the infield, tilted the balance back in India’s favour.

On the other hand, India’s bowlers held their nerve and defended the boundaries under pressure. While the margin of victory read 30 runs, the match underlined India’s control across all phases of the game. 

India is heading towards a clean sweep, and Sri Lanka must has to win the last T20I to avoid this. The 5th T20I between India Women and Sri Lanka Women will be played on December 30.