IND-W vs SL-W T20 2025: Shafali Verma’s blistering fifty takes India past Sri Lanka in Visakhapatnam
The Indian women’s cricket team beat Sri Lanka by seven wickets in the second match of the IND-W vs SL-W T20 2025 series at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam on Tuesday, with Shafali Verma’s fifty ensuring a quick chase.
After Indian T20 captain Harmapreet Kaur won the toss and elected to field, Sri Lanka were restricted to a modest 128/9 as India produced a disciplined bowling display under the lights.
Shree Charani (2/23) and Sneh Rana (1/11) led the effort, striking at key moments to keep the visitors in check.
Deepti Sharma, who climbed to the top of the T20I bowling rankings earlier in the day, was rested for the second T20I due to a mild fever.
Shafali Verma’s 69 off 34, which included 11 fours and a maximum, helped India chase down the target in 11.5 overs and take a 2-0 lead in the five-match series. In the first T20I, India had chased down Sri Lanka’s total of 121/6 in 14.4 overs.
Sri Lankan skipper Chamari Athapaththu provided the early impetus with a 24-ball 31 despite losing her opening partner early.
However, Athapaththu’s dismissal in the sixth over dented Sri Lanka’s charge, with Sneh Rana removing the captain and finishing with the most economical figures among the Indian bowlers.
Harshitha Samarawickrama anchored the Sri Lankan innings with a measured 33 from 32 deliveries, finding support from Hasini Perera (22 off 28) as Sri Lanka rebuilt after powerplay overs.
However, regular wickets after a few good partnerships pegged back the visitors. From 104 for 3 in the 17th over, Sri Lanka lost six wickets for 24 runs, failing to capitalise on their platform. Shree Charani (2/23) and Vaishnavi Sharma (2/32) picked up two wickets each.
India made light work of the chase, with Shafali Verma leading the charge with an unbeaten half-century. Although Smriti Mandhana fell early, the setback did little to slow India’s momentum.
Jemimah Rodrigues provided fluent support in a lively stand with Shafali, racing to 26 off 15 deliveries.
The pair added quick runs through the powerplay and beyond, keeping the required rate firmly in check and putting Sri Lanka’s bowlers under pressure. India were 68/1 in the powerplay.
Rodrigues’ dismissal did not affect Shefali Verma’s tempo as the opener, the Player of the Match in the ODI World Cup 2025 final, kept striking at will, completing her half-century in 27 balls in the 10th over.
Harmanpreet Kaur lost her wicket on the penultimate ball of the match but it made no difference to the outcome as Richa Ghosh hit the winning run on her first ball to secure a commanding win.
India and Sri Lanka will face off in the third match of the series at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday.
IND-W vs SL-W 2nd T20 2025 brief scores: Sri Lanka 128/9 in 20 overs (Harshitha Samarawickrama 33; Shree Charani 2/23) lost to India 129/3 in 11.5 overs (Shafali Verma 69; Kavisha Dilhari 1/15) by seven wickets.
