India register their biggest win in ICC Women’s T20 World Cups

The Indian women’s team has finally got their campaign at the ICC Women’s World Cup 2024 on track. They won their second game on the trot after defeating Pakistan by six wickets in their previous game. On Wednesday (October 9), they defeated Sri Lanka by 82 runs in a one-sided game, which is also their biggest win in the history of the T20I format. Prior to this, their biggest victory in the tournament was 79 runs, which came against Bangladesh in Sylhet in 2014. 

Batting first against Sri Lanka in Dubai, the Indian team got a great start from their openers, Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma. The duo notched up their record 20th-half-century partnership and added 98 runs in 12.4 overs to give a solid platform for the remaining batters to end India’s innings on a high. 

Despite the sluggish pitch, both the openers batted with immaculate control in the first few overs, and once they were in rhythm, they started using their feet a lot more to score boundaries frequently. After Mandhana and Verma were dismissed in the same over, Jemimah Rodrigues and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur didn’t let the momentum die down. 

While Rodrigues was the aggressor right after the fall of the openers, Harmanpreet took on that role in the last five overs of the innings. She ended with an unbeaten 52 in just 27 deliveries, and her innings included eight fours and a massive 84-metre six. Harman's acceleration took India to their second-highest total in ICC Women’s T20 World Cups — 172/3. 

In reply, Sri Lanka were meek, to say the least, and the fall of wickets began from the first over itself when Vishmi Gunaratne was caught spectacularly by the substitute fielder Radha Yadav, who took a diving catch at short-third to give India their first dismissal. 

Shreyanka Patil got the skipper and main batter Chamari Athapaththu caught in the slips in the next over, which dwindled most hopes of a successful Lankan chase. Post that, it was about formalities and the margin of victory for India that can decide the fortunes in the 'Group of Death'. To their credit, Sri Lanka did grind out India until the 20th over, but were all out for just 90, giving India the much-needed NRR boost that has helped them reach the second position in their group. 

One game remains in the group stages, where they’ll face Australia on October 13. Their qualification isn’t sure yet, however, a lot of cricket is left to be played in Group A. 

If you’ve not downloaded the Cricket.com app yet, you’re missing out on our content — big time. Download the App here.