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Chamari Athapaththu-led Sri Lanka created history with a comfortable win over India in the third and final T20I of the series. Athapaththu’s unbeaten 80 helped hosts register their first T20I win against India on Sri Lankan soil. The captain’s knock made short work of the 139-run target as the hosts got over the line with three overs to spare and seven wickets in hand. Despite the loss, Harmanpreet Kaur-led India won the T20I series by 2-1.
Chasing 139, Sri Lanka lost their opener Vishmi Gunaratne early. Renuka Singh got her wicket in the first over. Skipper Athapaththu took advantage of the fielding restrictions but Harshitha Madavi got out to Radha Yadav in the fifth over. The left-handed batter scored at a strike rate nearly 200 in the powerplay overs with Sri Lanka's score reading 47/2.
Nilakshi de Silva provided the perfect support to Athapaththu as the latter reached her half-century from 29 deliveries. This is also the fastest fifty for Sri Lanka in T20Is. Sloppy fielding did not help India even after Nilakshi got run out in the 15th over. Nilakshi contributed 30 runs in the 77-run partnership for the third wicket. Athapaththu helped Sri Lanka get over the line easily and remained unbeaten for 80 off 48 deliveries. The Sri Lankan captain's knock was studded with 14 fours and one six. The most expensive bowler for India turned out to be Radha, who leaked 41 runs form her quota of four overs.
Earlier, Harmanpreet won the toss and opted to bat first. Sungandika Kumari opened the bowling for Sri Lanka and got the wicket of opener Shafali Verma. Smriti Mandhana and Sabbhineni Meghana could not get India off to a flier in the powerplay overs. In the eight over, Mandhana lost her wicket to Oshadi Ranasinghe after scoring 22 runs. In the next over, Meghana got out as well. Inoka Ranaweera took her wicket.
Skipper Harmanpreet and Jemimah Rodrigues shared a crucial 64-run partnership for the fourth wicket to get India back on track. Rodrigues contributed with a 30-ball 33. Towards the end, Vastrakar's mini cameo of six-ball 13 helped India post a respectable total of 138/5 on the board. On the other end, Harmanpreet remained unbeaten for 33-ball 39.
