Batting first, India set a 276-run target as Richa Ghosh top-scored for the tourists with a 48-ball 58. In response, Sri Lanka were cruising at 108-1 before three quick wickets left them wobbling at 152-4.
Harshita Samarawickrama anchored the innings with 53, but the turning point came when captain Chamari Athapaththu (23) fell to Sneh Rana. Rana then struck twice more – removing Kavisha Dilhari (35) and Dewmi Vihanga (1) in quick succession – leaving the hosts reeling at 209-5
Nilakshika, who had come in at No.6, had other plans. She blasted her way to a 28-ball fifty, the fastest to the landmark from her country. Eshani Lokusuriyage and Athapaththu jointly held the previous record for their 30-ball effort. Lokusuriyage’s innings came against the same opposition back in 2013, while Athapaththu matched it ten years later in 2023, against New Zealand.
By the time Nilakshika was dismissed for a 33-ball 56 in the 43rd over, Sri Lanka were 38 runs behind for a win. Wicketkeeper Anushka Sanjeewani (23 not out) and Sugandika Kumari (19 not out) took the hosts over the line with three wickets and five balls remaining. This is their second-highest succesful run-chase. The record was set a year ago against South Africa, when they gunned do…
Chief Scores:
Sri Lanka 278 for 7 (Silva 56, Samarawickrama 53, Rana 3-45) beat India 275 for 9 (Ghosh 58, Rodrigues 37, Athapaththu 3-43, Sugandika 3-44) by three wickets
