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Business Standard
04-05-2025
- Sport
- Business Standard
SL women beat India for first time in 7 years in tri-series thriller
Sri Lanka pulled off a stunning upset over India in a dramatic women's tri-series clash on Sunday, recording a three-wicket win that ended a seven-year wait for victory over their subcontinental rivals. Chasing a stiff 276-run target, the islanders were in trouble at 152 for four before all-rounder Nilakshi Silva launched a fearless counterattack with a 33-ball 56 that completely shifted the momentum. Her innings, laced with three sixes and five boundaries, took the pressure off her teammates and allowed Sri Lanka to complete the chase with five balls to spare. This was Sri Lanka's second win in the tournament and brings them within touching distance of a place in the final. For India, who had won their first two games convincingly, the loss was a setback—but they remain likely finalists due to their superior net run rate. India post 275 batting first India, asked to bat first, posted a competitive 275 for 9, with wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh hammering a 48-ball 58. Though starts came from across the line-up, none apart from Richa capitalised. Smriti Mandhana, marking her 100th T20I, was run out for 18, while opener Pratika Rawal, in good touch after two fifties in the series, fell for 35. Harleen Deol (29) and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (30) looked fluent but couldn't kick on. Chamari Athapaththu and Sugandika Kumari were Sri Lanka's standout bowlers, claiming three wickets each to dent India's momentum. Steady start, mid-overs wobble for Sri Lanka Sri Lanka's chase began with a minor hiccup as Hasini Perera was run out by a direct throw from Deepti Sharma. But Harshitha Samarawickrama (53 off 61) and Vishmi Gunaratne (33 off 58) steadied the innings with a 78-run stand. Gunaratne fell to Arundhati Reddy after a fine running catch by Amanjot Kaur, while Harshitha was caught off Pratika Rawal's bowling at a crucial point, leaving the match in the balance. India fought back with Sneh Rana's sharp off-spin. Rana (3/45) produced a crucial breakthrough by removing Chamari Athapaththu (23), inducing a faint edge that was safely pouched by the keeper. Her wickets brought India back into the contest, setting up a tense finish. Enter Nilakshi Silva. With nerves of steel, she took the attack to the Indian bowlers with clean, aggressive hitting. Her 33-ball 56 injected life into the chase when the pressure was mounting. After her departure, Anushka Sanjeewani (23* off 28) and Sugandika Kumari (19* off 20) calmly finished the job, guiding Sri Lanka to a memorable win with five balls to spare.
Time of India
04-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Sri Lanka stun India to seal first win in seven years
Sri Lanka cricketers (Pic credit: SLC) In a thrilling Tri-series clash on Sunday, Sri Lanka ended their seven-year drought against India in women's ODIs with a memorable three-wicket win, powered by a scintillating 33-ball 56 from all-rounder Nilakshi Silva . The victory significantly boosted Sri Lanka's chances of making the final, while India, despite the setback, remain likely finalists thanks to earlier dominant performances. Also visit: IPL Live Score Batting first, India posted a competitive 275 for nine, anchored by wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh 's fluent 58 off 48 balls. However, a determined Sri Lankan side chased down the target with five balls to spare, recovering smartly from a shaky 152 for four in the 33rd over. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Nilakshi's aggressive knock, studded with three sixes and five boundaries, turned the momentum decisively in Sri Lanka's favour. She found an able support from Anushka Sanjeewani (23*) and Sugandika Kumari (19*), who kept their nerve in the tense closing stages to take the team home. Who's that IPL player? The chase had earlier seen key contributions from Harshitha Samarawickrama (53) and Vishmi Gunaratne (33), who added 78 runs for the second wicket after the early run-out of Hasini Perera. India struck back through Arundhati Reddy and Pratika Rawal, while Sneh Rana impressed with figures of 3/45, including the big wicket of Chamari Athapaththu (23). India's innings had early promise but faltered due to regular wickets. Smriti Mandhana fell for 18 in her 100th match, while captain Harmanpreet Kaur (30) and Harleen Deol (29) couldn't convert starts. Chamari and Sugandika claimed three wickets each to restrict India effectively.
