Pooja Vastrakar delivered a decisive late spell to finish with figures of 3/26, sealing the win for India Women and underlining her importance as a pressure bowler in the side’s evolving attack. Her performance came at a crucial stage of the innings, when the contest still carried uncertainty and Sri Lanka Women were searching for a late surge to stay alive in the chase.
India entered the final phase knowing that one strong bowling effort could shut the door. Vastrakar stepped up with clarity and control, using her experience to read the batters and the conditions astutely. Rather than relying on sheer pace, she focused on disciplined lines, subtle variations, and smart changes of length, forcing mistakes at exactly the right moments.
Her first breakthrough arrived when Sri Lanka were attempting to rebuild after losing wickets in the middle overs. By keeping the ball just short of a driving length and angling it across the batter, Vastrakar induced a mistimed shot that broke a developing partnership. That wicket shifted momentum firmly back in India’s favor, increasing the pressure on incoming batters.
What stood out in Vastrakar’s spell was her calm under pressure. With Sri Lanka needing boundaries to keep the chase alive, she resisted the temptation to bowl defensive half-volleys or short deliveries. Instead, she trusted her plans, mixing back-of-a-length balls with well-disguised slower deliveries. The lack of pace on the ball made boundary-hitting difficult, forcing batters into risky shots.
Her second wicket came at a critical juncture in the death overs. As Sri Lanka attempted to launch a final assault, Vastrakar executed a slower ball to perfection, deceiving the batter completely and drawing a miscued hit. That dismissal effectively ended realistic hopes of a late comeback, as the required run rate climbed sharply.
Vastrakar’s third wicket sealed the result. Bowling with the field set aggressively, she attacked the stumps and forced a hurried shot under pressure. The dismissal not only wrapped up her spell but also symbolized India’s control over the closing stages of the match. Her figures of 3/26 reflected both impact and economy — wickets taken without leaking runs.
Beyond the numbers, this performance highlighted Vastrakar’s growing maturity. She has increasingly become a go-to option for India in crunch situations, capable of bowling both with the new ball and at the death. Her ability to adapt her approach depending on match context gives the captain flexibility and confidence in tight games.
For India Women, this spell reinforced the value of having genuine all-round contributors in the squad. Vastrakar’s bowling complemented the spinners’ control in the middle overs and ensured that Sri Lanka never found sustained momentum late in the innings. Combined with sharp fielding and disciplined support from the rest of the attack, her effort completed a well-rounded team performance.
As India continue their preparations for upcoming international fixtures, Vastrakar’s display sends a clear message. She is not just a supporting bowler, but a genuine match-winner who can close games under pressure. Performances like this strengthen India’s bowling depth and add a crucial edge heading into more competitive encounters.
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