India Women got their preparations for upcoming international assignments off to a solid start, defeating Sri Lanka Women by 38 runs in a warm-up T20 clash after posting 162/6. The match, played in competitive but relaxed conditions, gave both teams a chance to fine-tune their plans and allowed India to showcase depth in batting and bowling as they built momentum ahead of more consequential fixtures.
India Women’s innings was anchored by a blend of experience and calculated aggression. Opting to bat first, the hosts aimed to set a competitive total on a pitch that offered good value for batters early on but also had enough movement to keep bowlers honest. India’s top order laid a strong foundation, rotating strike well and punishing loose deliveries to ensure the scoreboard kept ticking.
The middle overs were where India really asserted themselves. A combination of crisp timing and intelligent placement allowed them to keep the run rate healthy without sacrificing wickets. Batters looked comfortable against both pace and spin, finding gaps through the off side and piercing the field effectively. Rather than going for big hits at every opportunity, they often prioritized building partnerships and letting boundaries come naturally.
The final phase of the innings saw India accelerate smartly. Clean hitting and sharp running between the wickets turned a solid total into a challenging one, pushing the score to 162/6. The late surge ensured that Sri Lanka would have a meaningful target to chase, setting up a competitive scenario for both sides to test their bowling and fielding plans.
Sri Lanka Women’s bowling attack had spells of good discipline but ultimately conceded too many boundary opportunities at key moments. Although they managed to break partnerships at times, India’s batters were able to rebuild and keep the momentum in their favour. The variations in pace and changes in field placements were tested thoroughly, offering valuable insights for Sri Lanka’s coaching staff ahead of more important games.
In response, Sri Lanka Women began their chase with clear intent, knowing that a strong performance against a high-quality side like India could build confidence. Their openers rotated strike well and found boundaries at regular intervals to keep the required run rate within reach during the initial phase of the chase.
However, India’s bowlers responded with discipline of their own. Smart lines, changes of pace, and attacking field placements forced Sri Lanka into uncomfortable positions at key moments. Wickets at regular intervals prevented any single batter from gaining sustained momentum, and partnerships struggled to last long enough to tilt the match decisively.
As the innings progressed, Sri Lanka’s required rate climbed steadily. Despite resilient efforts and some impressive individual shots, they were unable to keep up with the scoring pace set by India. Tight overs from India’s bowlers in the middle and death phases — a combination of yorkers, slower balls, and well-executed plans — made consistent boundary hitting difficult.
Ultimately, Sri Lanka finished 38 runs short, closing on 124, as India Women celebrated a well-deserved warm-up victory. While warm-up matches don’t carry the weight of official T20 internationals, the performance provided both sides with valuable match practice. For India, it reinforced confidence in their batting depth and bowling strategies, while Sri Lanka were able to test plans under pressure and identify areas for refinement.
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