India take 1-0 lead in series with eight-wicket win

Monday, 22 December 2025 03:14 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Vishmi Gunaratne top-scored for Sri Lanka with 39

Player of the Match Jemimah Rodrigues with 69*

Five-match WT20I series against Sri Lanka

Returning to action for the first time since becoming ODI World champions, India commenced their road to the T20 World Cup 2026 in June with an eight-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the first WT20I played at Visakhapatnam yesterday.

In a cold evening, India, winning the toss, invited Sri Lanka to bat first and kept them down to a moderate total of 121-6.

Sri Lanka’s top four batters all reached double figures but none went on to make a substantial score, with opener Vishmi Gunaratne’s 39 off 43 being the highest.

Poor running between the wickets cost Sri Lanka three wickets, including that of Gunaratne.

India lost Smriti Mandhana for 25 and Shafali Verma for 9, but were well in control of their chase.

Player of the Match Jemimah Rodrigues (69* off 44 balls, 10 fours) and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (15*) took India home in an unbroken stand of 55 with 32 balls to spare.

India lead the five-match series 1-0. The second match will be played at the same venue tomorrow.

Scores:

Sri Lanka Women 121-6 (20) (Vishmi Gunaratne 39, Hasini Perera 20, Harshitha Samarawickrama 21)

India Women 122-2 (14.4) (Smriti Mandhana 25, Jemimah Rodrigues 69*)