India Beats Sri Lanka by 82 Runs in ICC Women’s World T20 2024, propelling them towards a crucial semi-final spot and boosting their Net Run Rate (NRR) significantly. Harmanpreet Kaur’s explosive half-century played a pivotal role in India’s dominant victory in their Group A match against Sri Lanka at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Harmanpreet’s Record-Breaking Fifty Leads the Way
India Beats Sri Lanka by 82 Runs thanks to a blistering 52* from Harmanpreet Kaur, the Indian captain. Her half-century, which came off just 27 balls, is the fastest by any Indian batter in the history of the Women’s T20 World Cup. She smashed eight boundaries and a towering six, taking India’s total to a commanding 172/3 in 20 overs.
India’s batting started on a cautious note, with openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma accumulating runs steadily. However, as the game progressed, both batters began to accelerate, and by the 10th over, India was cruising at 78/0. Verma crossed a personal milestone of 2,000 T20I runs, becoming the youngest cricketer to achieve this feat.
Fall of Wickets: A Minor Stumble
After a solid 98-run opening stand, India lost two wickets in quick succession, with Smriti Mandhana run out for 50 and Shafali Verma departing for 43. Chamari Athapaththu struck back-to-back blows, reducing India to 98/2 in the 13th over. However, Kaur’s masterful knock stabilized the innings, ensuring that India reached an imposing total.
Sri Lanka’s Struggles with the Bat
India Beats Sri Lanka by 82 Runs, and it was their bowling that sealed the deal. Sri Lanka’s chase started disastrously as they found themselves at 6/3 within the first three overs. Vishmi Gunaratne, Chamari Athapaththu, and Harshitha Samarawickrama all fell cheaply, leaving Sri Lanka in tatters.
Renuka Singh’s opening spell was devastating, as she took 2 wickets for just 6 runs in her first three overs. The Sri Lankan batters found it difficult to recover from this collapse. While Kavisha Dilhari (21 off 22) and Anushka Sanjeewani (20 off 22) tried to rebuild, their efforts were in vain as the middle and lower order collapsed.
India’s Bowling Performance: Clinical Domination
India’s bowlers ensured there was no let-up in pressure, with all five bowlers chipping in with wickets. Arundhati Reddy (3/19) and Asha Sobhana (3/19) were the standout performers, completely dismantling the Sri Lankan batting lineup. Renuka Singh’s figures of 2/16 were equally impressive, especially during the powerplay, where she removed key Sri Lankan batters.
The entire Sri Lankan innings folded for just 90 runs in 19.5 overs, giving India a massive win and a much-needed boost in their Net Run Rate (NRR), which jumped from -1.217 to +0.576.
ONE OF THE GREATEST CATCH IN WOMENS T20 WC HISTORY 🙇
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) October 9, 2024
– Take a bow, Radha Yadav…!!! pic.twitter.com/CF0OaAlvyY
Key Moments of the Match
- India Beats Sri Lanka by 82 Runs after setting a target of 172 runs, the highest in the tournament so far.
- Harmanpreet Kaur’s record-breaking 52* (27 balls), the fastest 50 by an Indian in Women’s T20 World Cup.
- Renuka Singh’s brilliant bowling during the powerplay, taking 2 wickets for 6 runs.
- Arundhati Reddy and Asha Sobhana’s identical bowling figures of 3/19, which crippled the Sri Lankan batting order.
The Road Ahead for India
With this commanding victory, India moved to the second spot in the Group A standings. Their next challenge is against the table-toppers, Australia, in a must-win match on Saturday, October 12. The outcome of this game will likely decide India’s fate in the tournament as they aim to secure a spot in the semi-finals.
Harmanpreet Kaur Reflects on the Win
India’s captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, was pleased with her team’s all-around performance. “We just wanted to score seven-eight runs an over,” said Kaur. “Today a lot of things went according to plan. We were thinking of 160 and we posted 170. You have to think about the Net Run Rate when you are in this position, and the team executed everything perfectly.”
Key Stats from the Match:
- India 172/3 in 20 overs
Harmanpreet Kaur 52* (27)
Smriti Mandhana 50 (38)
Shafali Verma 43 (40)
Chamari Athapaththu 1/34 - Sri Lanka 90 all out in 19.5 overs
Kavisha Dilhari 21 (22)
Anushka Sanjeewani 20 (22)
Arundhati Reddy 3/19
Asha Sobhana 3/19
Renuka Singh 2/16
Conclusion: India’s Dominance Continues
India Beats Sri Lanka by 82 Runs in an all-around dominant performance, improving their chances of reaching the semi-finals of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024. Harmanpreet Kaur’s scintillating batting and India’s superb bowling attack completely outclassed Sri Lanka, sending a strong message to their next opponents, Australia.
This victory not only lifted India’s spirits but also significantly enhanced their Net Run Rate, positioning them well for the remainder of the tournament.
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