Rodrigues’ 50 sets up comfortable chase for India vs SL as they chase down 121 in the first T20i at Vishakapatnam.
50 days after winning the ODI world championship, India was a little rusty when they returned to action, but not enough to stop them from defeating Sri Lanka handily in the inaugural Twenty20 International in Visakhapatnam.
Even though they did not take many wickets, India’s spinners persevered to contain Sri Lanka’s top order despite the persistent presence of dew on a cool evening. Sri Lanka was ultimately limited to 121 for 6. Given that the dew would only get worse as the temperature dropped—something Harmanpreet Kaur had hinted at when she decided to chase at the toss—it was a below-average total.
India started their journey to the T20 World Cup 2026 in June on a positive note by easily winning with eight wickets and 32 balls remaining.
To aid the hosts canter, Jemimah Rodrigues, batting for the 100th time in Twenty20 Internationals, scored her 14th half-century in the format. With Harleen Deol batting at that position for two games in England and Harmanpreet indicating her intention to be India’s one drop at the most recent T20 World Cup, there was some curiosity regarding India’s No. 3. However, whatever doubts India could have had should be dispelled by Rodrigues’ 69 not out from 44 balls.
This was India’s sixth win in ten games since being knocked out in the league stage of the 2024 iteration.