India Women Look to Seal the Series Against Sri Lanka in Third T20I
The ongoing T20I series between India Women (IND-W) and Sri Lanka Women (SL-W) is set to continue with the third match taking place on Friday, December 26 at the Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvanathapuram. After two exciting games in Vizag, the action now moves to Kerala as Thiruvananthapuram gears up to host the remainder of the series.
India Women’s Dominance
India Women have been the dominant force in the series so far, taking a 2-0 lead against Sri Lanka. Led by Harmanpreet Kaur, the team has showcased their batting prowess with standout performances from Jemimah Rodrigues and Shafali Verma. As they head into the third T20I, all eyes will be on who will step up for the hosts to continue their winning streak.
Sri Lanka Women’s Struggles
In contrast, Sri Lanka Women have struggled to find consistency in the series. Despite a strong start in the second game, they faltered against India’s bowling attack, resulting in a lower total than expected. The upcoming match presents an opportunity for the Chamari Athapaththu-led side to bounce back and keep the series alive.
Match Details and Pitch Report
The Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram will host its first Women’s T20I match, with the pitch likely to favor chasing teams. The dew factor may come into play as the match progresses, making bowling first an advantageous choice for the winning toss.
Predicted Playing XIs
India Women: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Richa Ghosh (WK), Sneh Rana, Amanjot Kaur, Vaishnavi Sharma, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Goud, NR-Shree Charani
Sri Lanka Women: Chamari Athapaththu (C), Vishmi Gunaratne, Hasini Perera, Harshita Samarawickrama, Kavisha Dilshari, Nilakshi Silva, Kaushani Nuthyangana (WK), Kavya Kavindi, Malki Madara, Inoka Ranaweera, Shashini Gimhani
Key Players to Watch
Jemimah Rodrigues: The top-order batswoman has been in stellar form, leading the run-scoring charts in the series so far. With crucial contributions in the previous matches, she will be a key player for India Women.
Vaishnavi Sharma: The off-spinner has impressed with her economical bowling, picking up crucial wickets at crucial moments. Her performance in the upcoming match will be crucial for India’s bowling attack.
Match Prediction
With the pitch favoring chasing teams, the odds may be in favor of the team batting second to clinch the victory in the third T20I between India Women and Sri Lanka Women.
Indian Women’s Consistency and Depth
One of the key factors contributing to India Women’s success in the series has been their consistency across all departments of the game. Not only have the batters like Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma provided explosive starts, but the middle order comprising of players like Harmanpreet Kaur and Richa Ghosh have also stepped up when needed. This depth in batting lineup puts India in a strong position to post competitive totals and chase down targets effectively.
Impact of Spin Bowling
As the series progresses to Thiruvananthapuram, the role of spin bowlers is likely to become even more crucial. India Women’s spinners, led by Vaishnavi Sharma and Sneh Rana, have been effective in containing the Sri Lankan batters and taking wickets at key moments. The slow nature of the pitch in Kerala could further amplify the impact of spin bowling, making them a potent weapon for the hosts.
Pressure on Sri Lanka’s Captain
Chamari Athapaththu, the captain of Sri Lanka Women, will be under immense pressure to lead from the front and guide her team to a much-needed victory in the third T20I. Known for her aggressive batting style, Athapaththu will need to anchor the innings and ensure that the middle order bats around her to post a challenging total or chase down India’s score.
Young Talents to Shine
While established players like Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet Kaur have been key performers in the series, the emergence of young talents like Shafali Verma and Richa Ghosh has been a highlight. Verma’s aggressive approach at the top of the order and Ghosh’s ability to accelerate the scoring rate in the death overs have added a new dimension to India’s batting lineup. Keeping an eye on these young talents could prove to be rewarding in the upcoming matches.
Home Advantage for India
Playing in familiar conditions at the Greenfield International Stadium, India Women will have the advantage of understanding the pitch and the dew factor better than their opponents. This familiarity could play a crucial role in decision-making during the match, such as setting a target or making bowling changes according to the conditions.
Final Thoughts
As the series between India Women and Sri Lanka Women reaches its halfway mark, the third T20I promises to be a thrilling encounter with both teams looking to make their mark. While India holds the upper hand with a 2-0 lead, Sri Lanka will be determined to turn the tide and keep the series alive. With talented players on both sides and the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket, fans can expect an exciting match filled with twists and turns.
Overall, the third T20I is poised to be a test of character and skill for both teams, with the outcome likely to be determined by the team that can handle pressure situations better and execute their game plan effectively. Cricket enthusiasts can look forward to an enthralling contest between India Women and Sri Lanka Women as they battle it out for supremacy on the T20I stage.
