Smriti-Shafali’s 162-run partnership guides India to victory in Kerala:Defeated Sri Lanka by 30 runs, Richa slams 40* in 16 balls; IND lead T20I series 4-0

After clinching the T20I series 3–0, India Women continued their dominant run by defeating Sri Lanka Women by 30 runs in the fourth T20I at Thiruvananthapuram. Batting first, India posted a massive 221 for 2 in their 20 overs, putting the visitors under immediate pressure. Openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma laid the foundation with a record-breaking stand. Mandhana smashed 80 runs, while Shafali followed closely with 79, as the duo registered India’s highest-ever partnership in women’s T20I history, completely taking the game away from Sri Lanka. In reply, Sri Lanka managed 190 runs for 6 wickets in 20 overs while chasing the daunting target of 222. Despite a promising 59-run opening stand, the visitors could not maintain momentum and suffered their fourth straight defeat in the series. The two teams will meet again in the fifth and final T20I on December 30 at the Greenfield Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram. Smriti-Shafali create history at the top, record 162-run opening partnership for India India Women got off to a flying start as openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma stitched together a record-breaking partnership against Sri Lanka in Thiruvananthapuram. Mandhana made a strong comeback with a brilliant 80, while the ever-consistent Shafali continued her fine form with 79, as the duo added 162 runs for the opening wicket, the highest opening partnership for India Women in T20I history. The momentum was carried forward at the death by Richa Ghosh, who smashed an unbeaten 40 off just 16 balls, with captain Harmanpreet Kaur remaining not out on 16. For Sri Lanka, Malha Shehani and Nimasha Meepage were the only wicket-takers, picking up one scalp each in an otherwise tough outing for the bowlers. Chamari’s 52-run knock goes in vain, Vaishnavi-Arundhati bag 2 wickets each Despite a fighting half-century from Chamari Athapaththu, Sri Lanka suffered their fourth straight defeat in the T20I series against India. Hasini Perera provided early momentum with a brisk 33 off 20 balls, but the visitors failed to build on the start as the batting line-up crumbled during the middle overs. Sri Lanka eventually finished on 190 runs for 6 wickets in their 20 overs. For India, the bowlers kept things tight at the Greenfield Stadium, with Vaishnavi Sharma and Arundhati Reddy leading the charge by picking up two wickets each to seal another comprehensive win.