Published: December 28, 2025 at 5:00 pm
Smriti Mandhana has had a quiet series thus far but on Sunday she was on fire as he struck a stroke-filled half-century to help India post a 30-run win over Sri Lanka in the fourth T20I in Thiruvananthapuram. Chasing a big 222 for victory, Sri Lanka managed to reach 191 for six.
During the course of her innings, Smriti scaled a new peak. She became the second Indian after Mithali Raj to score 10,000 international runs. She is the fourth person to achieve this tremendous milestone and the fastest in terms of innings played to reach there. The other two batters are Charlotte Edwards and Suzie Bates.
With the series already wrapped up 3-0, India rung in a few changes. There was no Jemimah Rodrigues for the game as she was down with a mild fever. She was replaced with Harleen Deol.
“Jemimah Rodrigues was unavailable for selection in the 4th T20I in Thiruvananthapuram due to weakness arising from mild fever. The BCCI Medical Team is closely monitoring her progress and recovery,” said a BCCI statement.
Kranti Gaud was given a well-earned rest and, in her place, came Arundhati Reddy. The Sri Lankans too made two changes. Sewwandi and Kavindi were back with Ranaweera and Madara going out.
Chamari Athapaththu won the toss and asked India to bat first. Getting the chance to have a first go, Indian openers Smriti and Shafali Verma grabbed the opportunity gleefully. As usual, Shafali was quickly off the blocks and kept the rival fielders busy.
Smriti took her time to settle down but once she got her eye in, she exploded to send the Sri Lankan bowlers to all parts of the park. India scored 61 in the powerplay with Shafali doing the bulk of the scoring.
Smriti took a single of Neemasha Meepage to move from 26 to 27 and in the process achieved the landmark 10000 international runs.
Smriti changes gears
Smriti was 37 when Shafali was at 63. After that, Shafali added 11 while Smriti added 42 to the total. Their partnership was worth 162 and came in 15.2 overs before Shafali was dismissed for the first time in the series. She made a 46-ball 79 with 12 fours and a six. Soon after, Smriti too went for 80 which came off 48 balls and contained 11 fours and three sixes.
Smriti has broken the record for most sixes with 80 in her kitty in WT20Is for India. She went past Harmanpreet Kaur’s 78.
The 162-run partnership between Smriti and Shafali is India’s highest for any wicket in WT20Is, breaking the earlier record by the same pair (143). It is also the highest opening partnership for India.
Richa Ghosh, who was promoted to bat at No.3, made an unbeaten 40 off 16 balls with four fours and three sixes. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur was not out on 16.
The Lankans too began well with openers Hasini Perera and Chamari adding 59 for the first wicket before Hasini was caught by Harmanpreet of Arundathi for 33 (20 balls; 7×4).
Though the Lankans fought much better than in the other three games, the task on Sunday was beyond them. Chamari topscored with a 37-ball 52 with three fours and three sixes. There were contributions from the others too but not enough to trouble the Indians.
The 412 scored in the game is the highest match aggregate involving India and Sri Lanka in WT20Is
SCOREBOARD
India: Smriti Mandana c Dulani b Shehani 80, Shafali Varma c & b Meepage 79, Richa Ghosh (not out) 40, Harmanpreet Kaur (not out) 16; Extras: (LB4, W2) 6. Total: (For 2 wickets in 20 overs) 221.
Fall of wickets: 1-162, 2-168.
Bowling: Maisha Shehani 4-0-32-1, Kawya Kavindi 4-0-43-0, Kavisha Dilhari 4-0-47-0, Rashmika Sewwandi 2-0-25-0, Charami Athapaththu 2-0-30-0, Nimasha Meepage 4-0-40-1.
Sri Lanka: Hasini Perera c H Kaur b Reddy 33, Chamari Athapaththu c Mandhana b Vaishnavi 52, Imesha Dulani (run out) 29, Harshitha Samarawickrama st Ghosh b Vaishnavi 20, Kavisha Dilhari c sub (G Kamalini) b Reddy 13, Nilakshika Silva (not out) 23, Rashmika Sewwandi b Charani 5, Kaushini Nuthyangana (not out) 5; Extras: (B5, LB1, NB3, W2) 11. Total: (For 6 wickets in 20 overs) 191.
Fall of wickets: 1-59, 2-116, 3-140, 4-147, 5-170, 6-185.
Bowling: Renuka Singh 3-0-32-0, Arundhati Reddy 4-0-42-2, Deepti Sharma 4-0-31-0, Vaishnavi Sharma 4-0-24-2, Amanjot Kaur 1-0-10-0, Shree Charani 4-0-46-1.
