Shafali Verma, bowlers help India register clinical win over Sri Lanka in 2nd T20I

India's domineering run continued in the 2nd T20I against Sri Lanka as they registered a seven-wicket win, riding on an enterprising knock (69* off 34 balls) by Shafali Verma at Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam on December 23.

Player of the Match (POTM) Shafali proved yet again why she is considered one of the cleanest ball strikers in the country. Chasing 129 to win, Shafali lost her opening partner, Smriti Mandhana, early as the latter got out after scoring just 14. Shafali then added 58 runs for the second wicket alongside Jemimah Rodrigues (26 off 15) and shut the door down on the face of the visitors.

Shafali used the powerplay really well and targeted the Sri Lankans whenever they bowled half-volleys. She batted at a scintillating strike rate of 202.94 with the help of 11 fours and a maximum. Despite losing her partners, Shafali didn't lose her composure and kept biffing the ball to keep the pressure on them. India crossed the line on the fifth delivery of the 12th over.

Earlier, India captain Harmanpreet Kaur had won the toss and put Sri Lanka into bat. Sri Lanka were jolted early after losing Vishmi Gunaratne to Kranti Gaud with just a solitary run on the board. The Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu gave glimpses of her vintage self but couldn't maximise her start and got out after scoring 31 off 24 balls.

Hasini Perera (22 off 28) and Harshitha Samarawickrama (33 off 32 balls) stitched a 44-run stand for the third wicket, and that propelled Sri Lanka to a respectable total. N Sree Charani got rid of Perera, and a run out by Amanjot Kaur put an end to Samarawickrama's innings. Sri Lanka's innings witnessed three run-outs, and it brought the miscommunication between them to the fore.

Sree Charani and Vaishnavi Sharma bagged two wickets apiece as Sri Lanka posted 128 in their 20 overs at the end of 20 overs.