India Women (IND W) and Sri Lanka Women (SL W) are gearing up for their final clash in the T20I series at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday, December 30. The hosts have already secured the series with a commanding 4-0 lead, making the upcoming match a dead rubber.
### Dominant Performance by India Women
India Women have dominated the series so far, chasing down decent targets with ease in the first three matches and showcasing a clinical batting display in the fourth T20I. The opening pair of Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma has been instrumental in India’s success, with their aggressive batting setting the tone for the team. In the fourth match, India posted an impressive total of 221/2, thanks to their stellar performance, ultimately securing a 30-run victory.
### Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram — Pitch Report
The pitch at the Greenfield International Stadium has favored the bowlers, with a dry wicket making it challenging for batters to score freely. However, as dew sets in during the second innings, the conditions become more favorable for batting, allowing batters to find gaps and score runs. Captains winning the toss will likely opt to bowl first to take advantage of the conditions in the latter half of the match.
### Key Players to Watch
#### India Women
– **Smriti Mandhana:** With consistent performances throughout the series, Mandhana has been a standout performer for India. As the second-highest run-scorer in the series with 120 runs in four innings, she will be a key player to watch in the final match.
– **Deepti Sharma:** The experienced spinner has been impressive with the ball, picking up four wickets in three games. India will rely on Sharma to provide crucial breakthroughs against Sri Lanka.
### Predicted Playing 11s
#### India Women
– Shafali Verma
– Smriti Mandhana
– Harleen Deol
– Harmanpreet Kaur (c)
– Richa Ghosh (w)
– Deepti Sharma
– Amanjot Kaur
– Arundhati Reddy
– Vaishnavi Sharma
– Renuka Singh Thakur
– Shree Charani
#### Sri Lanka Women
– Hasini Perera
– Chamari Athapaththu (c)
– Harshitha Samarawickrama
– Kavisha Dilhari
– Imesha Dulani
– Nilakshika Silva
– Kaushani Nuthyangana (w)
– Malsha Shehani
– Rashmika Sewwandi
– Kawya Kavindi
– Nimasha Madushani
### Match Prediction
In the final T20I between India Women and Sri Lanka Women, the team bowling first is predicted to have the upper hand and emerge victorious. With India looking to maintain their dominance in the series and Sri Lanka seeking to salvage a win, the match promises to be an exciting conclusion to the T20I series.
**India Women’s form and strategies**
India Women have been in exceptional form throughout the T20I series against Sri Lanka Women, showcasing their prowess in both batting and bowling departments. The opening duo of Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma has been a force to be reckoned with, consistently providing blistering starts to the team. Their aggressive approach has put the Sri Lankan bowlers on the back foot, allowing India to dictate the pace of the game.
Furthermore, the middle order comprising Harmanpreet Kaur and Deepti Sharma has also played crucial roles in stabilizing the innings and accelerating the run rate when needed. Harleen Deol’s contributions with the bat have added depth to India’s batting lineup, making them a formidable force in the series.
On the bowling front, India’s spinners have been instrumental in restricting the Sri Lankan batting line-up. Deepti Sharma’s off-spin has been particularly effective, while the pace attack led by Arundhati Reddy has consistently troubled the opposition batsmen. With a well-rounded bowling unit and a dynamic batting line-up, India Women have showcased their ability to adapt to different conditions and come out on top.
**Sri Lanka Women’s challenges and opportunities**
On the other hand, Sri Lanka Women have faced challenges in keeping up with the pace set by India in the series. With their batting struggling to build partnerships and their bowlers finding it tough to contain the aggressive Indian batters, Sri Lanka has found themselves on the back foot for most of the matches.
However, the final T20I presents an opportunity for Sri Lanka to salvage some pride and end the series on a positive note. Players like Chamari Athapaththu and Hasini Perera have the ability to turn the game around with their explosive batting, while the bowlers will look to exploit any weaknesses in the Indian line-up.
It will be crucial for Sri Lanka to come up with a solid game plan, both with the bat and the ball, to challenge the dominant Indian team. Capitalizing on any lapses in concentration from the Indian players and executing their skills to perfection will be key for Sri Lanka to put up a competitive fight in the final match.
**The significance of the final T20I**
Despite the series being decided in India’s favor, the final T20I holds significance for both teams. For India, it is an opportunity to maintain their winning momentum and continue their dominance in the T20 format. A convincing victory in the final match will not only solidify their position as the top-ranked team but also boost their confidence ahead of future series and tournaments.
On the other hand, Sri Lanka will be looking to end the series on a high note by clinching a win in the final T20I. A strong performance in the last match will serve as a morale booster for the team and provide them with valuable lessons and insights to work on for their upcoming fixtures.
Overall, the final T20I between India Women and Sri Lanka Women promises to be a thrilling contest, with both teams aiming to leave a lasting impact and set the tone for their future encounters. As the players take the field at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram, cricket fans can expect an exciting battle between bat and ball, filled with moments of skill, determination, and sportsmanship.
