The Indian Women’s team carried their fine form into the T20 series with a comprehensive 34-run victory in the first T20I against Sri Lanka at the JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi on Monday. Having won the ODI series 3-0, the team that is high on confidence, yet again outplayed the visitors in all three departments of the game.
Off-spinner Anuja Patil first made 22 off 17 balls and later claimed 3/14 while opening the bowling to send Sri Lanka on the back foot. Batting first, India made 130/6 thanks to contributions from Harmanpreet Kaur 36 (41b, 2x4), Smriti Mandhana 35 (27b, 4x4) after the openers Mithali Raj and V. Vanitha were back in the dugout after just 19 balls.
The visitors received an early jolt when Anuja removed Yasoda Mendis off the final ball of the first over of Sri Lanka’s chase. She then picked Chamari Atapattu, the other opener for a duck and claimed No.4 Nipuni Hansika in quick successions to leave Sri Lanka tottering at 18/3.
The Indian bowlers pounced on the excellent start and never allowed the batters to break free. Veteran Dilani Manodara, who had made an unbeaten 43 in the second ODI was once again the lone warrior for Sri Lanka. While wickets kept falling at the other end, Manodara, who walked in after the fall of the first wicket, remained not out on 41 from 44 balls as the visitors only made 96/6 in the allotted 20 overs.
The second T20 will be played Wednesday.
