After a tough series, Sri Lanka showed signs of fight in the fourth T20I against India on Sunday. With three low scores, lost tosses, and heavy defeats earlier, the visitors finally got to chase a target instead of setting one. Contributions from batters other than captain Chamari Athapaththu helped them come closer, boosting confidence ahead of the final match of the five-match series. With the T20 World Cup less than six months away, Sri Lanka will be eager to finish the tour with a win.
India’s Dominance and Sri Lanka’s Opportunity
India have been clinical throughout the series, winning the first three tosses and consistently restricting Sri Lanka to totals under 130. Their victories have come with at least five overs and seven wickets to spare, highlighting their depth in batting. The final T20I gives Sri Lanka a chance to test India’s middle and lower order, though the challenge remains huge with Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma forming a dominant opening partnership. India have needed only five batters to chase or set targets so far, showcasing their consistency.
Sri Lanka can take inspiration from Hasini Perera’s performance in the fourth T20I, where she dismissed both Renuka Singh and Arundhati Reddy early. The lower order also contributed some crucial runs through Nilakshika Silva. Capitalizing on any mistakes from India—who have dropped multiple catches this series—could help Sri Lanka narrow the gap.
Hasini Perera’s partnership with Athapaththu on Sunday was especially notable. Her aggressive start helped Sri Lanka reach 52 for 0 in just four overs. Having played nearly 90 T20Is, Perera could use the final game to score her maiden T20I half-century, boosting confidence ahead of the T20 World Cup.
Meanwhile, India’s Shafali Verma has been in sensational form, scoring 236 runs at a strike rate of 185.82 in the series. Her dominance at the top makes her a key player for India, alongside Mandhana. Jemimah Rodrigues missed the fourth T20I due to a mild fever, giving Harleen Deol a chance, though she didn’t bat. With India already leading 4-0, there could be an opportunity for 17-year-old wicketkeeper-batter G Kamalini to make her debut.
Teams and Key Stats
India (possible XI): Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues/Harleen Deol, Harmanpreet Kaur (capt), Richa Ghosh/G Kamalini (wk), Deepti Sharma, Amanjot Kaur, Renuka Singh/Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gaud, Vaishnavi Sharma, Shree Charani
Sri Lanka (possible XI): Chamari Athapaththu (capt), Hasini Perera, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Imesha Dulani, Nilakshika Silva, Kaushini Nuthyangana (wk), Kavisha Dilhari, Kawya Kavindi/Malki Madara, Inoka Ranaweera, Malsha Shehani, Nimasha Meepage
After a record-breaking total of 412 runs on Sunday, the pitch in Thiruvananthapuram is expected to favor batters again. Dew in the evening could influence toss decisions, with bowlers likely to face challenges. Temperatures are expected to drop to the low 20s, making conditions humid yet playable.
Trivia and Records:
- A win for India would mark their third 5-0 T20I series victory, following similar wins in the West Indies (2019) and Bangladesh (2024).
- Sri Lanka have yet to lose a five-match T20I series 5-0, with their closest defeat being 4-0 against India in 2018.
- Mandhana needs 62 runs to become the leading run-scorer of 2025 across men’s and women’s cricket, surpassing Shubman Gill.
- Deepti Sharma is just one wicket away from becoming the leading wicket-taker in women’s T20Is, currently level with Megan Schutt at 151 wickets.
With pride, records, and preparation for the T20 World Cup on the line, the final T20I promises to be competitive as Sri Lanka look to avoid a whitewash and India aim for a historic 5-0 sweep.
