If there was any doubt about India’s dominance in women’s T20 cricket, it was erased in emphatic fashion on match day three. With a commanding **eight-wicket victory** over Sri Lanka, India wrapped up the five-match series with two games to spare—and the star of the show? None other than the fearless **Shafali Verma**, who blasted an unbeaten 79 off just 50 balls to seal the deal .
But while Shafali’s fireworks grabbed the headlines, the real foundation of India’s triumph was laid by the bowlers. **Renuka Singh Thakur** and **Deepti Sharma** delivered a masterclass in disciplined seam and spin, restricting Sri Lanka to a paltry 112—all before Shafali even picked up her bat. This wasn’t just a win; it was a statement of intent from a team firing on all cylinders.
Table of Contents
- Shafali Verma’s Destructive Knock: Why 79* Changed the Game
- Renuka and Deepti: The Unsung Heroes Behind India’s Series Win
- Deepti Sharma Reaches T20I Wicket Milestone—What It Means
- How India’s 3-0 Lead Reflects Their T20I Supremacy
- What’s Next for India and Sri Lanka in Women’s Cricket?
- Conclusion: A Complete Performance from Captain Harmanpreet’s Side
- Sources
Shafali Verma’s Destructive Knock: Why 79* Changed the Game
From the very first over, **Shafali Verma** sent a clear message: this chase was over before it began. Facing a modest target of 113, she didn’t just knock on the door—she kicked it down.
Her innings featured **8 fours and 5 sixes**, with a strike rate hovering near 160. What stood out wasn’t just the power—it was the precision. She targeted specific bowlers, rotated strike intelligently with partner Smriti Mandhana (22*), and never let the required rate creep above control .
This knock wasn’t just about runs; it was about momentum. After Sri Lanka’s batting folded cheaply, Shafali ensured there’d be no comeback. Her confidence is now peaking at the perfect time—just months ahead of major ICC events. [INTERNAL_LINK:womens-t20-world-cup-preview] For a player already compared to the greats, this innings was another step toward legend status.
Renuka and Deepti: The Unsung Heroes Behind India’s Series Win
While Shafali’s bat lit up the scoreboard, it was India’s bowlers who **strangled Sri Lanka’s innings at the root**. Sent in to bat, the visitors never found rhythm, losing wickets at regular intervals.
Renuka Singh Thakur led the pace attack with surgical accuracy, finishing with **2/15 in her four overs**. Her ability to swing the new ball and hit the hard length consistently forced Sri Lankan batters into false shots.
Meanwhile, **Deepti Sharma**—India’s premier all-rounder—combined control with guile. Operating in the middle overs, she bowled tight lines, mixed her pace, and picked up **2 crucial wickets**. More importantly, she conceded just **18 runs in her 4 overs**, killing any hope of acceleration .
Deepti Sharma Reaches T20I Wicket Milestone—What It Means
Amid the team celebration, Deepti hit a personal landmark: she became only the **third Indian woman** to reach **100 T20I wickets**, joining the elite company of Jhulan Goswami and Poonam Yadav .
This milestone underscores her evolution from a handy part-timer to a genuine match-winner with the ball. In 2025 alone, Deepti has maintained an economy under 6.00 and an average below 18 in T20Is—a testament to her consistency and cricketing IQ.
Her dual role as a middle-order batter and frontline bowler makes her indispensable. In a format where all-rounders often decide games, Deepti is India’s secret weapon.
How India’s 3-0 Lead Reflects Their T20I Supremacy
This series win isn’t an outlier—it’s part of a broader trend. Since the start of 2024, India’s women’s T20I side has:
- Won **12 of their last 14 matches**
- Maintained a **top-3 ICC T20I ranking**
- Seen **three different players** score 70+ in a chase
- Built depth in both pace (Renuka, Meghna Singh) and spin (Deepti, Radha Yadav)
Under captain Harmanpreet Kaur’s calm leadership, the team has blended youthful energy (Shafali, 19) with seasoned experience (Deepti, 27). The result? A balanced, resilient unit ready for global challenges.
What’s Next for India and Sri Lanka in Women’s Cricket?
For **India**, this series is a confidence booster ahead of the **2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup**. The focus now shifts to fine-tuning combinations and managing player workloads.
For **Sri Lanka**, the challenge is starker. Despite flashes of talent, their batting lineup lacks depth and composure under pressure. Until they develop a core of consistent performers, closing the gap with top-tier teams will remain difficult.
Conclusion: A Complete Performance from Captain Harmanpreet’s Side
India’s series win wasn’t built on one hero—it was a **complete team effort**. From Renuka’s opening spell to Deepti’s milestone, and capped by Shafali Verma’s explosive finish, every department delivered. As the team looks toward bigger tournaments, performances like this prove they’re not just contenders—they’re favorites. And with Shafali in this kind of form, opposition teams should be very, very nervous.
Sources
[1] Times of India. “Renuka, Deepti shine before Shafali Verma powers India to series win.” https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/renuka-singh-deepti-sharma-shine-before-shafali-verma-powers-india-to-series-win/articleshow/126192925.cms
[2] ICC Official Website. “Women’s T20I Bowling Records.” https://www.icc-cricket.com
[3] ESPNcricinfo. “Deepti Sharma becomes third Indian woman to 100 T20I wickets.”
[4] BCCI. “India Women’s Team Performance Review – 2025.”