Smriti Mandhana finished the T20I series against Sri Lanka Women in commanding fashion — top-scoring with 74 off 46 balls in the third and final match and ending the tour as the leading run-scorer of the series. Her innings in the decider underpinned India Women’s 49-run victory and capped off a tour defined by consistency, composure, and attacking intent.
India Women entered the third T20I having already sealed the series with comfortable wins in the first two matches. Nonetheless, Mandhana and her teammates approached the decider with full focus. Batting first, India posted 167/5, a total built on purpose and calculated aggression — a platform from which Mandhana’s contribution was central.
Mandhana’s 74 was an innings of patience and power blended with precision. Early on, she assessed conditions astutely, finding gaps and rotating the strike to maintain momentum without unnecessary risk. Against disciplined lines from Sri Lanka’s bowlers, she picked the right moments to attack, driving through the off-side and lofting deliveries into the deep with authority. The result was a knock that balanced control with timely aggression — an approach that has become a hallmark of her T20 batting.
What made Mandhana’s innings especially significant was the context. While India had the upper hand in the series, establishing dominance required clarity of intent and execution. By anchoring the innings, Mandhana ensured India never slipped into recklessness or fragmentation. Her partnerships with the other batters ensured the run rate never ballooned, and the team maintained control from powerplay to death overs.
As the leading run-scorer of the series, Mandhana’s consistency was evident across all three matches, not just in the final. She accumulated runs in a mix of match situations — pacing chases and setting up totals — showcasing adaptability alongside her natural flair. In T20 cricket, where momentum can swing in a single over, such reliability at the top is invaluable.
Sri Lanka Women, in their chase of 168, faced an uphill task from the outset. India’s bowling unit — buoyed by the platform set by Mandhana’s batting — remained disciplined and unafraid to mix tactics. Tight lines, sharp fielding, and clever variations prevented Sri Lanka from building meaningful partnerships. Eventually, Sri Lanka were restricted to 118/8, a score that reflected India’s dominance in all facets of the game.
Mandhana’s performance was not just about big shots; it was about timing and responsibility. Her innings came when India needed both rhythm and backbone, and she delivered on both fronts. The boundaries were well-timed, and her choice of risk versus reward was consistently sound — rare attributes in the frenetic, high-pressure world of T20s.
From a series perspective, this whitewash reinforced India’s depth and strategic clarity. They didn’t merely win; they controlled phases and executed plans with precision. Mandhana’s role was central to that narrative — her series tally made her India’s standout performer, and the confidence she exuded echoed through the rest of the batting lineup.
For Sri Lanka, the series served as a learning curve. While they showed glimpses of promise, sustained partnerships under pressure remained elusive. Against a top tier side like India, even small lapses can prove costly.
Ultimately, Smriti Mandhana’s 74 in the final game — combined with her series-long consistency — defined India’s success. She didn’t just score runs; she anchored the innings, set the tone for her team, and finished as the leading run-getter, playing with clarity and class from start to finish.
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