Harmanpreet Kaur hits 68 as India whitewash Sri Lanka 5-0:Deepti Sharma becomes highest wicket-taker in WT20Is; IND win 5th T20I by 15 runs

India defeated Sri Lanka by 15 runs in the 5th T20I at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram on 30 December. Harmanpreet Kaur and Deepti Sharma starred and with this victory, India have secured a 5-0 whitewash over Sri Lanka and thus end a memorable 2025 on a winning note. Harmanpreet was named Player of the match for her 68-run knock, while Shafali Verma won the Player of the Series award. Batting first, India scored 175/7 with Harmanpreet Kaur smashing 68 off 43 balls. In response, Sri Lanka were restricted to 160/7. India gained good preparation for the tours of Australia and, most importantly, the Women’s T20 World Cup that starts on 12 June. Also read: Deepti Sharma retains No. 1 spot in ICC T20I rankings: Smriti Mandhana in third place; Shafali Verma, Renuka Singh also gain spots Bowlers help Team India script victory in 5th T20I It was a stellar bowling effort that saw India successfully defend their 176-run target. All the bowlers picked up one wicket each and Deepti was the most economical among all, picking up one wicket while conceding 28 runs in her four overs. India were also good on the field, holding onto their catches and also pulling off a run out. Defending 176 for a whitewash, India struck early with Arundhati Reddy dismissing Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu for just 2 runs. But Hasini Perera and Imesha Dulani (50) put together 79 runs for the second wicket before Amanjot Kaur dismissed the latter. Hasini Perera (65) also scored a half-century for Sri Lanka and apart from them, no one could make an impact with the bat. Deepti Sharma becomes highest wicket-taker in WT20Is Deepti Sharma has become the highest wicket-taker in women’s T20Is in this match. She dismissed Nilakshika Silva (3) to scalp her 152nd wicket in women’s T20Is, going past Australian bowler Megan Schutt, who has 151 wickets to her name. Deepti also has cemented her spot as the no 1 ranked T20I bowler in ICC rankings for women’s cricket. Also read: RCB’s Ellyse Perry out of WPL 2026 for personal reasons: Annabel Sutherland withdraws as well, Ashleigh Gardner to captain Gujarat Giants Harmanpreet Kaur propelled India to 175/7 Harmanpreet had helped India post a competitive 175/7 after being asked to bat first once again. Smriti Mandhana was rested for the game and Shafali Verma had debutant Gunalan Kamalini as her opening partner. Shafali fell early for 5 runs and soon, it was Kamalini (12) who had to depart after being trapped LBW by Kavisha Dilhari. Harleen Deol (13) failed to make a mark at number three. It was captain Harmanpreet who starred with the bat. The right-hander struck 68 runs off 43 balls, hitting nine fours and one six in her knock. Apart from Harmanpreet, Amanjot Kaur (21 off 18) and Arundhati Reddy (27 off 11) had cameos as well. For Sri Lanka, Kavisha Dilhari (2/11), captain Chamari Athapaththu (2/21) and Rashmika Sewwandi (2/42) were the best bowlers.