Smriti Mandhana delivered one of her finest performances in recent memory as India secured a commanding 97-run victory over Sri Lanka in the final of the Women’s ODI Tri-Series. Her breathtaking century, filled with class and controlled aggression, was the cornerstone of India’s formidable total and ultimately proved to be the difference in a match that had the feel of a one-sided affair from early on.
Winning the toss and opting to bat first, India got off to a steady start. Mandhana, opening the innings, looked in sublime touch from the very beginning. With each passing over, she grew in confidence, driving and cutting with ease and finding the gaps almost effortlessly. Her timing was impeccable, and the fluidity in her footwork made it look like she was batting on a completely different surface than everyone else.
Mandhana reached her century with a well-timed flick to deep square leg, raising her bat to a standing ovation from her teammates. She eventually scored 116 runs off just 101 deliveries, an innings that included a flurry of boundaries and a handful of glorious sixes. Her knock was not just about scoring big but also about pacing the innings intelligently, accelerating precisely when the team needed it most.
India built their innings around her masterclass. Harleen Deol chipped in with a crucial 47 in the middle overs, while captain Harmanpreet Kaur added useful runs late in the innings to take the team past the 340-run mark. Smriti, Jemimah Rodrigues and Deepti Sharma ensured that the momentum wasn’t lost toward the end, contributing with quick cameos. By the end of 50 overs, India had posted an imposing 342 for 7 – their highest ODI total in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka, in response, never truly got going. While Chamari Athapaththu tried to anchor the innings with a gritty half-century, she found little support from the other end. Indian bowlers were relentless in their approach, applying pressure right from the outset. Sneh Rana stood out with her spell of 4 for 38, mixing her pace beautifully and deceiving the batters with flight and turn. Amanjot Kaur also impressed, grabbing three wickets and keeping things tight during the middle overs.
The Sri Lankan batting line-up crumbled under pressure, and despite some late resistance, they were bowled out for 245 in the 49th over. The margin of victory reflected India’s dominance across all departments.
This win not only secured the tri-series title for India but also highlighted their depth and adaptability. Mandhana’s innings was the standout, but it was the team’s overall composure and execution that ensured they outplayed the hosts in every aspect. The performance underlines India’s growing consistency in white-ball cricket, especially in pressure situations.
As the team celebrates this triumph, Smriti Mandhana’s name will remain etched in memory for delivering a match-winning innings when it mattered most. Her composure, elegance, and power encapsulated everything that defines modern-day Indian women’s cricket – confident, fearless, and clinical.
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