Mandhana, Shafali's batting blitz catapults India to 30-run win over SL in 4th T20I, lead series 4-0

India women continued their winning streak with a convincing 30-run victory over Sri Lanka in the fourth T20I at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram. India first rode on Smriti Mandhana's 48-ball 80 and and Shafali Verma's 46-ball 79 to post a big total of 221. In reply, Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu did put up some fight with a spirited 37-ball 52, but to only see her side getting folded for 191/6. With this win India, who already have series in their hand, extended their lead to 4-0 with a match to spare. 

Meanwhile, The fifth and final T20I between India and Sri Lanka will be played on December 30 at the same venue.

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Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma's special in India's win

Earlier, India reached a historic milestone as the posted their highest-ever T20I total during the fourth match of the series against Sri Lanka. After being put in to bat at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram, the Women in Blue set a formidable target of 222 runs. This record-breaking performance eclipsed their previous best of 210/5, which was achieved against England in Nottingham in June 2025.

The foundation for this massive score was laid by a sensational 162-run opening partnership between Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma. Mandhana led the way with a composed 80, while Verma provided her trademark aggression with a rapid 79. During this innings, Mandhana also made history by becoming only the second Indian woman to reach 10,000 international runs. Her career statistics are now among the best in the world, featuring 5,322 runs in ODIs, 4,049 in T20Is, and 629 in Test matches.

This latest total adds to a trend of increasing dominance for the Indian side in the shortest format. Prior to this feat, their top scores included a 217/4 against the West Indies in 2024 and the aforementioned 210/5 against England.

Sri Lanka run out of steam in the end despite Chamari Athapaththu's exploits

Despite facing a massive 222-run target, Sri Lanka displayed significant grit and refused to back down early in the chase. Hasini Perera set the tone immediately, punishing the Indian bowlers with five boundaries in the first two overs to propel the visitors to 29/0. The momentum continued to build as captain Chamari Athapaththu joined the attack, launching Deepti Sharma for a six and a four. With Perera continuing her aggressive stroke play, the island nation reached the 50-run mark in just four overs, putting the Indian defense under unexpected pressure.

The opening stand was eventually broken by Arundhati Reddy in the final over of the powerplay, providing India with a much-needed breakthrough. However, the relief was short-lived as Athapaththu remained unfazed, striking Amanjot Kaur for a six to keep the scoreboard ticking. By the halfway mark, Sri Lanka sat at a promising 95/1, with Athapaththu anchoring the chase. She soon crossed her half-century, keeping Sri Lankan hopes alive as the match entered its critical final phase.

The momentum shifted decisively when Vaishnavi Sharma dismissed the Sri Lankan captain shortly after her fifty. Sensing an opening, the Indian fielders and bowlers pounced; a costly run-out of Imesha Dulani was followed by another strike from Vaishnavi, who removed the dangerous Harshitha Samarawickrama. These quick wickets derailed the chase, leaving Sri Lanka with the monumental task of scoring 67 runs from the final three overs.

Faced with an almost impossible mountain to climb, the Sri Lankan lower order eventually faltered under the rising required run rate. While they put up a spirited fight for the majority of the innings, the visitors ultimately fell short, finishing 30 runs behind India's record total.