India’s Dominant Chase
Jeetbuzz login The Indian chase defined the concept of a walk in the park, with Shafali Verma’s scintillating unbeaten 69 off 34 balls anchoring a 129-run pursuit that did the job with 49 balls to spare. Be it the slow burn of the first T20I or the swift mercy of the second, the outcome remained the same, with a seven-wicket win for India at the ACA-VDCA Stadium in Visakhapatnam helping it take a 2-0 lead in the five-match series. Despite losing Smriti Mandhana early, the strong Indian batting order barely broke a sweat. Even the otherwise commanding Inoka Ranaweera and Chamari Athapaththu were taken apart, with a burst of exhibition hitting yielding 48 runs in just three overs.
Sri Lanka’s Innings Falter
Sri Lanka had learned from its earlier mistakes, batting with intent and improved shot selection. But all the promise of the start tapered thanks to the capitulation of the end, with five wickets falling for just 19 runs as the side limped to 128/9. Kranti Gaud caught Vishmi Gunaratne in the first over off her own bowling, forcing Chamari Athapaththu to play rescuer again. Although Athapaththu counterattacked briefly, including a towering six, the onslaught was short-lived. Hasini Perera and Harshitha Samarawickrama tried to maintain urgency, but disciplined bowling and mounting pressure led to a steady collapse.
Redemption, Control, and the Bigger Picture
Perhaps more importantly, the evening marked a quiet redemption for Sree Charani. After fumbling chances in the opener, she returned with surer hands, her two catches snuffing out a possible middle-order resistance and helping teammates make key breakthroughs. Harmanpreet Kaur’s timely bowling changes further tightened India’s grip. As Shafali brought up her 12th T20I half-century, the match ended swiftly, with warm on-field gestures and loud cheers from the crowd rounding off a cold East Coast evening that firmly belonged to India.
