India vs Sri Lanka, Women's T20 World Cup 2024 highlights: India beat Sri Lanka by 82 runs

That's a wrap from today's ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 encounter, where India secured a crucial victory over Sri Lanka to keep their semifinal hopes alive. The non-stop action continues with another exciting matchup on the horizon with Bangladesh Women taking on West Indies Women on October 10, 2024, at 2 pm GMT. Join us an hour prior for an exclusive pre-match build-up. Until then, goodbye and we look forward to catching you again soon!

Chamari Athapaththu, the losing skipper of Sri Lanka Women says that their side failed with both bat and ball and they need to bounce back in the next and get the basics right. Mentions that the first game is really important in such tournaments and it became difficult to lift the side after losing the first one but such things happen in cricket and they have one game remaining and they'll be looking to bounce back against New Zealand Women. Closes by saying that they need to improve on their batting and bowling. 

The victorious skipper of India Women, Harmanpreet Kaur is also the Player Of The Match. Harmanpreet Kaur expresses her satisfaction with the team's performance. She emphasized that maintaining momentum was key, crediting Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma for providing the strong start they had planned. Harmanpreet Kaur highlights their focus on preserving wickets, praising their disciplined approach. After the quick dismissals of the openers, she and Jemimah Rodrigues concentrated on keeping the run rate steady between seven to eight runs per over. Harmanpreet Kaur says they simply "went with the flow" from there, ensuring a commanding total for the team. Harmanpreet Kaur also expresses satisfaction with her team's all-around performance. She notes that the team "ticked all the boxes" in batting, bowling, and most importantly, fielding. Kaur emphasizes that their focus on fielding paid off, as they successfully took all their catches during the match, a critical area they had been working on. Feeling good about their collective effort, she highlights how this complete performance boosts the team's confidence.

Stay tuned for the presentation ...

Earlier in the day, India Women's batting unit finally clicked, posting a formidable 172 on the board. The platform was set by Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma, who shared a 98-run opening stand in just 13 overs, laying the groundwork for a sizeable total. Jemimah Rodrigues maintained the momentum with a purposeful knock, before Harmanpreet Kaur took charge, scoring an unbeaten half-century to steer India to a competitive score. Sri Lanka's bowling struggled to contain India's batters, with Chamari Athapaththu and Ama Kanchana claiming the only wickets to fall, while poor fielding cost them dearly, gifting India Women valuable runs.

India Women's bowling was unrelenting, with Asha Sobhana and Arundhati Reddy taking three each and having identical figures of 3 for 19 after 4 overs. Renuka Singh Thakur took a couple while Shreyanka Patil and Deepti Sharma scalped one each. India's bowling depth proved too much for Sri Lanka Women and their exceptional fielding took it to the next level. 

Sri Lanka Women's pursuit of a daunting target set by Asian giants India began disastrously, with a sluggish start and wickets tumbling rapidly. The damage was done inside the Powerplay, as they crumbled to 3/6 inside the Powerplay, virtually sealing their fate. India Women, keen to bolster their Net Run Rate, aimed to wrap up the innings swiftly. However, Kaveesha Dilhari and Anushka Sanjeewani momentarily stalled the Indian charge with a 37-run fourth-wicket partnership. The respite was short-lived, as Sri Lanka's batting collapsed once the partnership was broken, leading to a cluster of wickets and them eventually losing by 84 runs.

India's all-round brilliance paid dividends as they secured a convincing 84-run triumph. This resounding win significantly enhances their Net Run Rate, enabling them to leapfrog New Zealand Women and closing the gap on Pakistan Women in the standings. This also happens to be India's biggest win in terms of margin of victory, the previous being 79 runs as per the on-air commentator, Ian Bishop.

19.5: Deepti Sharma to Udeshika Prabodani, OUT! CAUGHT! Smriti Mandhana takes a brilliant catch running back to get India Women their biggest win in Women's T20 World Cup history. Flighted delivery by Deepti Sharma and Udeshika Prabodani walks in and hits the ball up in the air behind Smriti Mandhana at mid off. Smriti runs back well, grabs the catch in front of her eyes, and wins it for her team.

19.4: Deepti Sharma to Inoka Ranaweera, Fuller on the off stump line. Inoka Ranaweera tucks it to the left of covers and runs a quick single.

19.3: Deepti Sharma to Inoka Ranaweera, Comes around the wicket and drops it short outside the off stump. Inoka Ranaweera looks to cut the ball but misses it completely.

19.2: Deepti Sharma to Udeshika Prabodani, Tossed up on the stumps. Udeshika Prabodani walks in and slogs the ball up towards long on for a single.

19.1: Deepti Sharma to Udeshika Prabodani, Fuller on the off stump line. Udeshika Prabodani taps it back to the bowler from the crease.

18.6: Arundhati Reddy to Inoka Ranaweera, Drops the length back on top of the stumps. Inoka Ranaweera gets back in the crease and knocks the ball towards point.

18.5: Arundhati Reddy to Udeshika Prabodani, Swings the ball into the right-hander from a good length. Udeshika Prabodani flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

18.4: Arundhati Reddy to Inoka Ranaweera, Comes around the stumps and pitches the ball up on the wicket. Inoka Ranaweera drives it to long on and runs a single.

18.3: Arundhati Reddy to Inoka Ranaweera, Hits the length on top of the off stump from over the wicket angle. Inoka Ranaweera stays on the crease and taps the ball down.

Inoka Ranaweera walks out last to bat for Sri Lanka Women. 

18.2: Arundhati Reddy to Ama Kanchana, OUT! CAUGHT! The substitute Radha Yadav grabs another catch for her team and sends back Ama Kanchana. Arundhati Reddy pitches the ball up on the off stump and Ama Kanchana slogs it up in the air, straight to Radha Yadav at deep mid-wicket who grabs a reverse cup.

18.1: Arundhati Reddy to Ama Kanchana, Swings the ball into the right-hander and misses her line, bowls it outside leg. Ama Kanchana gets a feather off the pads and the ball goes back to Richa Ghosh.

17.6: Deepti Sharma to Udeshika Prabodani, Tosses the ball up on the off stump and gets it to turn into the right-hander. Udeshika Prabodani takes a front foot out and drops the ball down on the cease.

17.5: Deepti Sharma to Ama Kanchana, On the pads, fuller this time. Ama Kanchana sweeps it to short fine leg and runs a single.

17.4: Deepti Sharma to Udeshika Prabodani, Short and wide again. Udeshika Prabodani tucks it towards point and runs a quick single. Good pick up and a direct hit at the batter's end from the fielder at point but the batter is just in.

17.3: Deepti Sharma to Udeshika Prabodani, Just short outside the off stump line. Udeshika Prabodani slaps it to the left of sweeper covers and the batters run a quick couple.

17.2: Deepti Sharma to Udeshika Prabodani, Floats it up on off. Udeshika Prabodani offers a front foot defence.

17.1: Deepti Sharma to Udeshika Prabodani, Deepti Sharma comes back into the attack and pitches the ball up on the middle stump line from over the wicket angle. Udeshika Prabodani looks to sweep the ball and misses any contact with the bat. The ball hits her on the front leg and the umpire raises the finger. Udeshika Prabodani takes the review. The Ball Tracking shows that the ball is pitching in line, impact is also inside the stumps but the ball is missing the leg stump on height. Review working well for Sri Lanka Women.

16.6: Renuka Singh Thakur to Ama Kanchana, FOUR! Ama Kanchana picks up the length early and slams the good-length ball outside the off stump, up and over the head of mid off for a boundary to end the over.

16.5: Renuka Singh Thakur to Udeshika Prabodani, Pitches the ball up on the off stump. Udeshika Prabodani taps it to the right of Deepti Sharma at point and runs a risky single.

16.4: Renuka Singh Thakur to Udeshika Prabodani, Drops the length back on the stumps. Udeshika Prabodani gets an inside edge onto the pads and the ball drops on the crease.

16.3: Renuka Singh Thakur to Ama Kanchana, Pitches the ball fuller on the stumps. Ama Kanchana drives it to long on for a single.

16.2: Renuka Singh Thakur to Ama Kanchana, Just short outside the off stump. Ama Kanchana looks to make room and slash it but misses.

16.1: Renuka Singh Thakur to Ama Kanchana, FOUR! SHOT! Renuka Singh Thakur drops her length back on the stumps and Ama Kanchana slogs the ball up and over mid-wicket to the boundary for four runs.

15.6: Shreyanka Patil to Udeshika Prabodani, On the fuller length outside the off stump. Udeshika Prabodani offers a good front foot defence.

15.5: Shreyanka Patil to Ama Kanchana, Touch full on the lien of the stumps. Ama Kanchana nudges it to her left and sneaks a single. Richa from behind the stumps moves to her left, collects the ball, and has a shy at the stumps but misses. The batters pick up a single.

15.4: Shreyanka Patil to Udeshika Prabodani, Full and around off from over the wicket. Udeshika Prabodani drives and gets the outside edge of the bat to short third for a run. 

15.3: Shreyanka Patil to Udeshika Prabodani, Nagging length delivery on the stumps. Udeshika Prabodani gets an inside edge onto the pads from the crease.

15.2: Shreyanka Patil to Udeshika Prabodani, Bowls a flatter one from a nagging length on the stumps and gets the ball to turn into the right-hander. Udeshika Prabodani gets a hit on the pads and Richa Ghosh grabs it behind the stumps and appeals for a catch. Smriti Mandhana, the standing skipper of India Women takes a review and the ball is found nowhere close to the bat.

15.1: Shreyanka Patil to Ama Kanchana, LEG BYE! On the pads, drifting in from the wicket, missing leg. Ama Kanchana gets a hit on the pads and the ball goes to short fine. The batters pick up a single.

14.6: Asha Sobhana to Ama Kanchana, Drops the length back on the stumps. Ama Kanchana sweeps the ball to deep square leg for a single.

14.5: Asha Sobhana to Udeshika Prabodani, Drags the length back outside off. Udeshika Prabodani slaps it to sweeper covers for a run.

14.4: Asha Sobhana to Ama Kanchana, Floats one on the pads. Ama Kanchana flicks the ball to deep square leg for a run.

14.3: Asha Sobhana to Udeshika Prabodani, Short and wide, cut away to sweeper covers for a run to get off the mark.

Udeshika Prabodani is the new batter for Sri Lanka Women.

14.2: Asha Sobhana to Inoshi Fernando, OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! Tossed up, around off, Inoshi Fernando looks to sweep this towards deep square but gets it off the outside of her bat and the ball travels straight to Radha Yadav at deep mid-wicket for a simple catch around waist height. 

14.1: Asha Sobhana to Ama Kanchana, Tossed up on leg, Ama Kanchana sweeps this towards deep square for a single.

13.6: Arundhati Reddy to Ama Kanchana, Good length on the pads, Ama Kanchana flicks this to fine leg for a single. Ama Kanchana was keen on the second but Inoshi Fernando sent her back and rightly so. 

13.5: Arundhati Reddy to Inoshi Fernando, Back of a length on leg, Inoshi Fernando tucks this towards long on and runs one. 

13.4: Arundhati Reddy to Ama Kanchana, On a length around middle and leg, Ama Kanchana tucks this through square leg for a single. 

13.3: Arundhati Reddy to Ama Kanchana, Slower, full on off. Ama Kanchana jams this rolling back to the bowler. 

13.2: Arundhati Reddy to Ama Kanchana, On a length, around off. Ama Kanchana drives this to short extra cover for no run. 

13.1: Arundhati Reddy to Ama Kanchana, Good length on off, Ama Kanchana punches this to short cover for no run. 

Inoka Ranaweera is the next batter for Sri Lanka Women.

12.6: Asha Sobhana to Sugandika Kumari, OUT! Another bit of brilliance in the field, this time by Richa behind the stumps and Sri Lanka loses another. Tossed up on off, Sugandika Kumari goes for the sweep but goes early. The ball arrives late and lobs off the bottom edge dropping in front of Richa standing up to the spinner. Richa dives in front and grabs this. The batter sends this upstairs. The UltraEdge shows a clears spike and deflection off the bat into the gloves of Richa. 

12.5: Asha Sobhana to Ama Kanchana, Tossed up around middle and leg, Ama Kanchana gets on top of it and sweeps this to deep square for a single more. 

12.4: Asha Sobhana to Sugandika Kumari, Fuller around leg, Sugandika Kumari sweeps this towards deep square for one. 

12.3: Asha Sobhana to Sugandika Kumari, Full and wide of off, Sugandika Kumari goes for the slog and gets beaten. 

12.2: Asha Sobhana to Sugandika Kumari, This took an eternity to land. Wrong'un, much slower. Sugandika Kumari goes for the sweep without reading it. Gets beaten and the ball just bounces over middle. 

12.1: Asha Sobhana to Ama Kanchana, Leggie, on off. Ama Kanchana rocks back and tucks this through mid on for one. 

Sugandika Kumari is the new batter in for Sri Lanka Women.

11.6: Arundhati Reddy to Kaveesha Dilhari, OUT! ANOTHER BEAUTY IN THE FIELD AND Sri Lanka Women ARE 6 DOWN! On a length around middle and off, Kaveesha Dilhari looks to drag this down towards deep square and goes down on a knee and attempts the sweep. The ball bounced a bit on her, getting the leading edge towards the left of Renuka Singh Thakur at short fine leg. With the ball swirling around while dropping to her left, Renuka Singh Thakur does well to grab a hold of it. 

11.5: Arundhati Reddy to Ama Kanchana, Back of a length on off, Ama Kanchana punches this to point for one. 

11.4: Arundhati Reddy to Ama Kanchana, Yorker on off, Ama Kanchana blocks this back to the bowler. 

11.3: Arundhati Reddy to Ama Kanchana, Good length on off, Ama Kanchana defends this one. 

11.2: Arundhati Reddy to Nilakshika Silva, OUT! EASY PICKING FOR Shafali Verma! On a length, going away from the right-hander. Nilakshika Silva walks across and looks to slog this on leg. Gets a leading edge hanging to the right of Verma at backward point. Shafali Verma moves to her right, keeps her eyes on the ball and grabs this dolly. 

11.1: Arundhati Reddy to Kaveesha Dilhari, Good length on middle and off, Kaveesha Dilhari slogs this towards deep mid-wicket for one. 

10.6: Shreyanka Patil to Nilakshika Silva, BEAUTY! Fuller, straightens after pitching around off. Nilakshika Silva plays for the turn and gets beaten on the outside. 

10.5: Shreyanka Patil to Nilakshika Silva, Quicker and fuller on off, Nilakshika Silva jams this out on off. 

10.4: Shreyanka Patil to Kaveesha Dilhari, Length dragged back a bit, Kaveesha Dilhari gets it away off the inside of he bat towards leg for one. 

10.3: Shreyanka Patil to Nilakshika Silva, Tossed up on off, Nilakshika Silva drive this to sweeper cover for one. 

10.2: Shreyanka Patil to Nilakshika Silva, Fuller around middle and leg, Nilakshika Silva flicks this straight to short mid-wicket. 

10.1: Shreyanka Patil to Nilakshika Silva, Tossed up on off, Nilakshika Silva defends this on off. 

Drinks. India Women have started superbly with the ball and they need to continue this brilliant start and make sure that they bundle out Sri Lanka Women or restrict them below 127 to have a superior NRR than the White Ferns. 

9.6: Asha Sobhana to Nilakshika Silva, Just short outside the off stump. Nilakshika Silva gets back in the crease and drops the ball late towards short thrid and the batters steal a quick single.

9.5: Asha Sobhana to Kaveesha Dilhari, Fires it into the right-hander, fuller. Kaveesha Dilhari looks to flick it but gets a leading edge falling to the left of mid off and the batters run a single.

9.4: Asha Sobhana to Nilakshika Silva, Floats it up, slower in the air. Nilakshika Silva sweeps the ball to deep square leg and walks a run.

9.3: Asha Sobhana to Nilakshika Silva, On the nagging length on off. Nilakshika Silva takes the front foot out and drops the ball down on the crease.

9.2: Asha Sobhana to Nilakshika Silva, FOUR! SHOT! Too full from Asha Sobhana on the stumps and Nilakshika Silva stands tall on the crease and heaves the ball up and over mid-wicket and finds her first boundary of the innings.

9.1: Asha Sobhana to Kaveesha Dilhari, Just short on the stumps. Kaveesha Dilhari pulls it to long on and gets a single.

8.6: Deepti Sharma to Nilakshika Silva, Holds the length back on the leg stump. Nilakshika Silva looks to flick it but hits the ball straight to short fine. No run.

8.5: Deepti Sharma to Kaveesha Dilhari, Fuller outside the off stump and swept away to deep square leg for a single.

8.4: Deepti Sharma to Nilakshika Silva, On the nagging length on the stumps and Nilakshika Silva tucks it to long on for a single.

8.3: Deepti Sharma to Nilakshika Silva, On the up, on the middle. Nilakshika Silva taps it back to the bowler.

8.2: Deepti Sharma to Kaveesha Dilhari, Tosses it fuller on the off stump. Kaveesha Dilhari slogs it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

8.1: Deepti Sharma to Kaveesha Dilhari, Floats it up on the stumps. Kaveesha Dilhari knocks it back to the bowler.

Who walks out next? Nilakshika Silva walks out next in the middle. 

7.6: Asha Sobhana to Anushka Sanjeewani, OUT! STUMPPED! Anushka Sanjeewani loses her ground and Sri Lanka Women are 4 down! Richa Ghosh does nothing wrong and Asha Sobhana gets a wicket in her first over. Tosses the ball up outside the off stump line, calling the batter out for a big shot. Anushka Sanjeewani steps down the track and is completely beaten by the big turn on the ball away from her. Richa Ghosh grabs the ball behind the stumps and takes the bails off just in time to send back Anushka Sanjeewani.

Is that OUT? Excellent work from Richa Ghosh behind the stumps and she might have got the better of Anushka Sanjeewani here. 

7.5: Asha Sobhana to Anushka Sanjeewani, Bowls on the block hole just outside the off stump. Anushka Sanjeewani looks to play the sweep but the ball is too full for that shot. Dot ball.

7.4: Asha Sobhana to Anushka Sanjeewani, Pitches the ball fuller on the stumps. Anushka Sanjeewani walks in and taps the ball back to the bowler.

7.3: Asha Sobhana to Kaveesha Dilhari, Swept again from outside the off stump line and Kaveesha Dilhari gets a single more from deep mid-wicket.

7.2: Asha Sobhana to Anushka Sanjeewani, Another tossed up delivery outside the off stump. Anushka Sanjeewani walks in and sweeps the ball to deep square leg for a single.

7.1: Asha Sobhana to Kaveesha Dilhari, Floats it up fuller on the stumps. Kaveesha Dilhari launches it up towards long on and gets a single on the bounce.

6.6: Arundhati Reddy to Kaveesha Dilhari, INSIDE EDGE! Arundhati Reddy swings one into the right-hander from outside the off stump and Kaveesha Dilhari looks to slice it, getting an inside edge towards short fine for a single.

6.5: Arundhati Reddy to Kaveesha Dilhari, Fuller on the off stump line. Kaveesha Dilhari drives it well but straight to mid off.

6.4: Arundhati Reddy to Kaveesha Dilhari, FOUR! SLAM! Kaveesha Dilhari picks up the length early and gives it a full flow of the bat. Arundhati Reddy pitches the ball up on the stumps again and gets punished. Kaveesha Dilhari slogs the ball to the right of the flying Jemimah Rodrigues at deep mid-wicket and gets a boundary.

6.3: Arundhati Reddy to Anushka Sanjeewani, Holds the length back on the stumps. Anushka Sanjeewani flicks it towards deep square leg and runs a single.

6.2: Arundhati Reddy to Anushka Sanjeewani, Runs in hard from over the wicket angle and pitches the ball up on the off stump. Anushka Sanjeewani plays it on the rise over the head of mid off and runs a couple of runs more.

6.1: Arundhati Reddy to Anushka Sanjeewani, FOUR! SHOT! Anushka Sanjeewani welcomes Arundhati Reddy with a brilliant boundary over mid-wicket. Length ball on the stumps and Anushka Sanjeewani slogs the ball off the front foot and times it well over mid-wicket to find the boundary.

5.6: Deepti Sharma to Anushka Sanjeewani, Pitched up delivery slogged away to deep mid-wicket off the front foot for a single to end the over.

5.5: Deepti Sharma to Kaveesha Dilhari, Fuller on the stumps again by Deepti Sharma and Kaveesha Dilhari walks in and slams the ball straight past the bowler. The fielder Shafali Verma at mid on gives in a brilliant chase and keeps the ball inside the play. The batters pick up 3 run.

5.4: Deepti Sharma to Anushka Sanjeewani, On the nagging length outside off. Anushka Sanjeewani gets down on a knee and sweeps the ball to deep square leg for a single.

5.3: Deepti Sharma to Kaveesha Dilhari, Another ball floated up on the stumps. Kaveesha Dilhari slogs it along the carpet to deep mid-wicket for a run.

5.2: Deepti Sharma to Anushka Sanjeewani, Fuller again outside off. Anushka Sanjeewani sweeps the ball to deep square leg for a single.

5.1: Deepti Sharma to Anushka Sanjeewani, Tossed up on off, Anushka Sanjeewani defends this to extra cover for no run. 

4.6: Renuka Singh Thakur to Anushka Sanjeewani, LEG BYE! On a length around the pads, Anushka Sanjeewani goes for the flick and misses. The ball deflects off her pads towards leg for a single. Leg bye signaled. 

4.5: Renuka Singh Thakur to Kaveesha Dilhari, Pitched-up outside off, Kaveesha Dilhari drives this towards Shafali Verma at mid off and runs one. 

4.4: Renuka Singh Thakur to Anushka Sanjeewani, Good length, shaping down the leg. Anushka Sanjeewani tucks this towards deep square for one more. 

4.3: Renuka Singh Thakur to Kaveesha Dilhari, LEG BYE! Repeat of the previous delivery but just a single this time as the fielder from the deep was quickly onto it. 

4.2: Renuka Singh Thakur to Kaveesha Dilhari, TWO LEG BYES ! on a length around the pads, Kaveesha Dilhari goes for the flicks and misses. The ball clips the pads for a couple to fine leg. 

4.1: Renuka Singh Thakur to Kaveesha Dilhari, On a length around middle and leg, Kaveesha Dilhari pushes this towards mid on for no run. A bit of yes-no between the batter but the right decision taken at the end. 

3.6: Shreyanka Patil to Anushka Sanjeewani, Fuller, on off, Anushka Sanjeewani pushes this away on off for no run. 

3.5: Shreyanka Patil to Anushka Sanjeewani, Comes round the wicket, floats one on leg, Anushka Sanjeewani goes for  the sweep and manages a top edge wide of Renuka Singh Thakur towards her left at short fine leg for a couple. 

3.4: Shreyanka Patil to Anushka Sanjeewani, Tossed up on leg, Anushka Sanjeewani blocks it out. 

3.3: Shreyanka Patil to Anushka Sanjeewani, FOUR! Tossed up but down the leg this time. Anushka Sanjeewani goes for the sweep and manages a bit of glove onto this as the ball flies past Richa to her left and into the fence towards the fine leg region for four. 

3.2: Shreyanka Patil to Anushka Sanjeewani, Fuller on off, Anushka Sanjeewani punches this through cover for a couple this time. 

3.1: Shreyanka Patil to Kaveesha Dilhari, Flighted on off, beats Kaveesha Dilhari in the flight as she goes for the drive. Gets it off the inside towards deep square for one. 

2.6: Renuka Singh Thakur to Anushka Sanjeewani, Just one off the over and a wicket as well for Renuka. Good length, angling in onto the batter. Anushka Sanjeewani defends this off her front foot. 

2.5: Renuka Singh Thakur to Anushka Sanjeewani, On a length outside off, Anushka Sanjeewani edges this dropping on short third for a dot. 

2.4: Renuka Singh Thakur to Anushka Sanjeewani, Pitched up on off, Anushka Sanjeewani pushes this away to cover-point for another dot. 

2.3: Renuka Singh Thakur to Anushka Sanjeewani, Good length on middle and leg, nipping back in. Anushka Sanjeewani defends this on leg. 

Anushka Sanjeewani is the new batter for Sri Lanka Women.

2.2: Renuka Singh Thakur to Harshitha Samarawickrama, OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Full enough to induce the batter to go for the drive, Harshitha Samarawickrama falls in the trap and goes for the expensive drive. Gets a faint edge off the outside and into the gloves of Richa Ghosh behind the stumps. Excellent start from India Women and they are well on track to fix that mess they created in the NRR column with a heavy defeat against the White Ferns. 

2.1: Renuka Singh Thakur to Kaveesha Dilhari, On a length around off, Kaveesha Dilhari dabs this in front of Radha Yadav at point and steals a single. 

1.6: Shreyanka Patil to Kaveesha Dilhari, Short of a length on leg, Kaveesha Dilhari rocks back and nudges this away on leg for one. 

Kaveesha Dilhari is the new batter for Sri Lanka Women.

1.5: Shreyanka Patil to Chamari Athapaththu, OUT! EDGED AND GONE AT FIRST SLIP! Tossed up, just outside off and turns this away a fraction after pitching. Teases Chamari Athapaththu into a push with hard hands, the Sri Lankan skipper gets trapped and pokes at it with hard hands only to edge this off the outside off her bat into the arms of Deepti Sharma. 

1.4: Shreyanka Patil to Chamari Athapaththu, Short of a length on off, Chamari Athapaththu goes deep and punches this to cover-point for nothing. 

1.3: Shreyanka Patil to Harshitha Samarawickrama, Fuller on the pads, Harshitha Samarawickrama sweeps this through square leg for a single. 

1.2: Shreyanka Patil to Harshitha Samarawickrama, Tossed up around the pads, Harshitha Samarawickrama tucks this away towards Asha Sobhana at short fine leg for no run. 

1.1: Shreyanka Patil to Harshitha Samarawickrama, Flighted on off, drifts in and turns away after pitching. Perfect channel with slip in place. Harshitha Samarawickrama pokes at it and gets beaten. 

Shreyanka Patil to share the new ball attack with Renuka Singh Thakur for India Women.

0.6: Renuka Singh Thakur to Harshitha Samarawickrama, On a length around off, Harshitha Samarawickrama drives this towards Jemimah Rodrigues at cover and a fumble from her allows the single. 

0.5: Renuka Singh Thakur to Harshitha Samarawickrama, On a length around off, shaping further away after pitching. Harshitha Samarawickrama goes for the cover drive only to connect with thin air. 

0.4: Renuka Singh Thakur to Chamari Athapaththu, Full toss on off, Chamari Athapaththu drives this trough cover for one. 

0.3: Renuka Singh Thakur to Harshitha Samarawickrama, On a length around the pads, Harshitha Samarawickrama flicks this through square leg for one. 

Harshitha Samarawickrama is the new batter in for Sri Lanka Women.

0.2: Renuka Singh Thakur to Vishmi Gunarathne, OUT! STUNNER FROM Radha Yadav! The substitute fielder has done good to the side. On a length around off, Vishmi Gunarathne looks to slog this on leg but gets it away off the outside edge off her bat. The ball lobs swirling int he dark sky above Radha Yadav at point but the fielder has her eyes set on the ball and she did well moving to her right and touching it with a diving effort. 

0.1: Renuka Singh Thakur to Vishmi Gunarathne, Almost a picture-perfect start for India Women. Back of a length, shaping in, Vishmi Gunarathne goes with the slog and gets it away off the cue end, on the bounce to mid on. 

We are back! The umpires and the players walk out to take the field as Sri Lanka Women come out to chase the highest total of this tournament. Chamari Athapaththu and Vishmi Gunarathne are the two opening batters for Sri Lanka Women. Renuka Singh Thakur to start the attack for India Women. Let's play!

... THE RUN CHASE ...

Sri Lanka’s bowlers toiled hard but were unable to stop India’s onslaught, especially in the latter stages of the innings. With a target of 173 to chase, Sri Lanka will have a tough task ahead of them. India’s bowlers will now be looking to back up their batters and secure a comprehensive victory. Stay tuned as Sri Lanka begins their chase shortly.

Despite the twin blows, India kept up the pressure with Jemimah Rodrigues chipping in with a quickfire 16 off just 10 balls, keeping the scoreboard ticking. The final phase of India’s innings, however, was all about their captain, Harmanpreet Kaur. Coming in with the score at 100/2, Harmanpreet paced her innings perfectly, delivering some crucial hits in the death overs. She provided the much-needed acceleration, finding the boundary regularly and finishing the innings with back-to-back fours. The Indian skipper brought up her half-century in just 27 balls, leading India to a formidable total.

However, the left-handed Mandhana broke her shackles in the final over of the powerplay, smashing a boundary over the bowler’s head and hitting India’s first six of the tournament. This brought momentum to India’s innings as both batters started finding the gaps and increasing the run rate. Mandhana, showing her class, brought up her 27th T20I fifty off 36 balls, as the partnership between her and Shafali neared the 100-run mark.

India Women put on a dominant batting display, posting an imposing total of 172/3 in their 20 overs, marking the highest team score in this year's World Cup. After opting to bat first, the opening duo of Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana provided a solid platform for the Women in Blue. Though they began cautiously, focusing on strike rotation in the early overs, Shafali quickly found her rhythm, while Mandhana initially struggled to find her timing.

19.6: Udeshika Prabodani to Harmanpreet Kaur, FOUR! India Women have announced their arrival at the ICC Women's World Cup, 2024. Is it a bit too late? Only time will tell. Pitched up around middle and off, Harmanpreet Kaur clears her front leg and muscles this past a diving mid off fielder for a boundary to close the innings. India Women posts 172 on board. India Women now need to restrict Sri Lanka Women to around 130 to have a better NRR than the White Ferns. 

19.5: Udeshika Prabodani to Harmanpreet Kaur, FOUR! HAMMERED DON THE GROUND! Pitched-up around off, Harmanpreet Kaur moves in and hammers this up and over the umpire for a boundary towards the sight screen. Poor bit of bowling from Udeshika Prabodani with her bowling full having both mid on and mid off inside the circle. 

19.4: Udeshika Prabodani to Richa Ghosh, Good length on the pads, Richa Ghosh flicks this towards the square leg fielder for a single. The fielder went for a shy at the stumps but missed with Richa Ghosh nowhere in the frame. She was better off throwing it to the bowler. 

19.3: Udeshika Prabodani to Richa Ghosh, Pitched up on off, Richa Ghosh drills this down to long off and runs a couple with mid off inside the circle. 

19.2: Udeshika Prabodani to Harmanpreet Kaur, Good length on middle, Harmanpreet Kaur sweeps this towards square leg for one. The fielder inside the circle does well to get a bit of hand to it and take the sting out of this. 

19.1: Udeshika Prabodani to Harmanpreet Kaur, On a length around middle and leg, Harmanpreet Kaur lofts this behind mid on for a couple. 

18.6: Ama Kanchana to Harmanpreet Kaur, Slower, outside off. Harmanpreet Kaur rolls this towards long off for a single off her back foot. 

18.5: Ama Kanchana to Harmanpreet Kaur, On a length around middle and leg, Harmanpreet Kaur drills this down the ground towards long off for a couple. 

18.4: Ama Kanchana to Harmanpreet Kaur, FOUR! Kaur is dealing in boundaries now. Pitched-up around off, Harmanpreet Kaur clears her front leg and muscles this up and over extra cover for a boundary more. 

18.3: Ama Kanchana to Harmanpreet Kaur, FOUR! That's the Harmanpreet Kaur all of India was waiting for. Short and not that wide of off but Kaur was up for it. Harmanpreet Kaur slashes hard and nails the square cut wide to the right of point for a boundary. 

18.2: Ama Kanchana to Richa Ghosh, Full and wide outside off, Richa Ghosh drives this to long off for one. 

18.1: Ama Kanchana to Richa Ghosh, Slow and outside off. Richa Ghosh looks to go over extra cover but misses. Richa is better off giving strike to her skipper on the other hand. 

17.6: Chamari Athapaththu to Harmanpreet Kaur, FOUR! Kaur keeps peppering the leg side and finds the gap this time for four. Short and around leg, Harmanpreet Kaur goes down on a knee and sweeps this in-between deep square and deep mid-wicket for a boundary this time. 

17.5: Chamari Athapaththu to Harmanpreet Kaur, Short of a length on off, Harmanpreet Kaur drags this down to deep mid-wicket region expecting a boundary but a brilliant bit of diving effort from the deep mid-wicket fielder, running to her right keeps this down to two. 

17.4: Chamari Athapaththu to Harmanpreet Kaur, Tossed up, much slower and wide of off, Harmanpreet Kaur gets it up and over the bowler towards long off for a couple. 

17.3: Chamari Athapaththu to Harmanpreet Kaur, DROPPED! Indian skipper is dropped on 22 by Inoka Ranaweera this time. Low full toss, around off. Harmanpreet Kaur slashes hard at it, gets it straight towards the ribs of Inoka Ranaweera at cover but she drops it. 

17.2: Chamari Athapaththu to Harmanpreet Kaur, FOUR! FAST HANDS FROM KAUR! On a length wide of off, Harmanpreet Kaur plants her front foot away from the line of it and slashes this up in-between cover and extra cover for four runs. 

17.1: Chamari Athapaththu to Richa Ghosh, Good length around the pads, Richa Ghosh sweeps this towards deep square for one. 

16.6: Ama Kanchana to Harmanpreet Kaur, FOUR! Kaur spoils a successful over for Sri Lanka Women with a boundary off the last delivery. Good length on the pads, Harmanpreet Kaur flicks this fine and wide to the left of short fine leg fielder for a boundary.  

16.5: Ama Kanchana to Harmanpreet Kaur, Pitched up on off, Harmanpreet Kaur drills this towards extra cover for no run. 

16.4: Ama Kanchana to Harmanpreet Kaur, Fingers rolled outside on this, shapes the ball away on off. Harmanpreet Kaur slashes hard but gets beaten on the outside. 

16.3: Ama Kanchana to Richa Ghosh, On a length around off, Richa Ghosh tucks this towards deep mid-wicket for one. 

Richa Ghosh is the next batter in for India Women at number 5.

16.2: Ama Kanchana to Jemimah Rodrigues, OUT! GUIDED STRAIGHT AT THE FIELDER! On a length wide of off, Jemimah Rodrigues wanted to exploit that region behind the stumps on off. Times this well but guides this straight into the lap of Udeshika Prabodani at backward point for a simple take. 

16.1: Ama Kanchana to Jemimah Rodrigues, On a length wide outside off, Jemimah Rodrigues opens the face of her bat and intentionally plays this over backward point for a couple of runs. 

Ama Kanchana comes back into the attack. 

15.6: Sugandika Kumari to Harmanpreet Kaur, SIX! SHE HAS HIT THIS MANY A MILES! Tossed up, in the slot for Harmanpreet Kaur who loves to swing her arms. Kaur jumps outside off, gets over the top of it and slog sweeps this way behind the fence and into the stands for six runs towards deep mid-wicket region. 

15.5: Sugandika Kumari to Harmanpreet Kaur, Quicker and flatter outside off, Harmanpreet Kaur slashes hard and gets beaten. 

15.4: Sugandika Kumari to Harmanpreet Kaur, FOUR! Harmanpreet Kaur needed this and she gets one away for four. Short of a length on off, Harmanpreet Kaur flat bats this over mid-wicket for a boundary. 

15.3: Sugandika Kumari to Harmanpreet Kaur, Punched off the back foot for no run. 

15.2: Sugandika Kumari to Jemimah Rodrigues, Kaveesha Dilhari DROPS Jemimah Rodrigues ON 13. Short of a length on off, Jemimah Rodrigues moves across and looks to pull this towards deep mid-wicket region. Find Kaveesha Dilhari at the fence but Dilhari drops it. 

15.1: Sugandika Kumari to Jemimah Rodrigues, Tossed up, much slower on off. Jemimah Rodrigues moves away from the line of it and lofts this beyond cover for a couple towards deep extra cover. 

14.6: Chamari Athapaththu to Harmanpreet Kaur, Just short on the pads of Harmanpreet Kaur who stays back in the crease and tucks it straight to mid-wicket to end the over.

14.5: Chamari Athapaththu to Jemimah Rodrigues, Tosses up on the stumps. Jemimah Rodrigues slogs it over mid-wicket and gets a single.

14.4: Chamari Athapaththu to Jemimah Rodrigues, FOUR! Jemimah Rodrigues gets her second boundary of the innings. Chamari Athapaththu drops the ball short on the stumps and Jemimah Rodrigues gets back deep in the crease and pulls the ball all along the ground to the left of deep square leg and beats her for a superb boundary.

14.3: Chamari Athapaththu to Harmanpreet Kaur, Drops the ball short on the stumps. Harmanpreet Kaur flicks the ball to deep mid-wicket for a single.

14.2: Chamari Athapaththu to Harmanpreet Kaur, Short and wide outside off. Harmanpreet Kaur looks to slice the ball hard but misses.

14.1: Chamari Athapaththu to Harmanpreet Kaur, Fuller and straight. Harmanpreet Kaur drives it back to the bowler.

13.6: Inoka Ranaweera to Harmanpreet Kaur, Floats it up on the off stump. Harmanpreet Kaur plays the paddle sweep in the vacant fine leg region and takes a single to retain the strike for the next over.

13.5: Inoka Ranaweera to Jemimah Rodrigues, Another sweep comes out from Jemimah Rodrigues to deep mid-wicket for a single.

13.4: Inoka Ranaweera to Harmanpreet Kaur, What a waste of review from Sri Lanka Women! Full and tossed up at the off stump. Harmanpreet Kaur goes for the sweep and just manages to get some bat on it, the ball rolls to short fine and they take a single. There's an appeal for LBW but nothing from the umpire. Chamari Athapaththu sends it upstairs and the big screen shows that there's a clear spike when the ball is next to the bat. The on-field call stays.

What a waste of a review this was from Chamari Athapaththu and Sri Lanka Women. The ball appeared to have deflected off the bat of Kaur clearly but Chamari Athapaththu went upstairs for a review for an LBW.

13.3: Inoka Ranaweera to Jemimah Rodrigues, Full and tossed up outside off. Jemimah Rodrigues is again down on a knee for the sweep and gets it to deep backward square leg for a single.

13.2: Inoka Ranaweera to Jemimah Rodrigues, FOUR! Jemimah Rodrigues gets a good start! Inoka Ranaweera bowls it on the stumps, fuller and Jemimah Rodrigues gets down on a knee and sweeps the ball well infront of deep square leg for a superb boundary.

13.1: Inoka Ranaweera to Harmanpreet Kaur, CHANCE GOES BEGGING! Inoka Ranaweera floats the ball on the stumps and Harmanpreet Kaur looks to play the paddle and gets an inside edge onto the pads as the ball drops near the crease. Jemimah Rodrigues calls for a quick single and the wicketkeeper picks up the ball and takes a hit at the bowler's end. Harmanpreet Kaur was no where close to the crease but the throw from the keeper misses the stumps.

12.6: Chamari Athapaththu to Jemimah Rodrigues, Short of a length around off, Jemimah Rodrigues slaps this into the surface and towards short mid-wicket. 

Two in two for Sri Lanka Women and Jemimah Rodrigues walks out next in the middle. 

12.5: Chamari Athapaththu to Shafali Verma, OUT! CAUGHT! Vishmi Gunarathne grabs an easy catch and in a flash, India Women are two down with both the openers back in the hut! Chamari Athapaththu bowls on a nagging length outside off stump line from over the wicket. Shafali Verma looks to flick it on the leg side and only manages a top edge straight to Vishmi Gunarathne at covers. What a disaster for India Women.

India Women skipper, Harmanpreet Kaur walks out next. 

12.4: Chamari Athapaththu to Smriti Mandhana, OUT! RUN OUT! Sri Lanka Women get their first breakthrough and it's the big wicket of Smriti Mandhana that goes down as a runout. Chamari Athapaththu bowls the ball on the stumps and Smriti Mandhana cuts it to point and goes for a quick run. The throw from Ama Kanchana was good at the bowler's end and Smriti Mandhana looked to be in trouble there. A check for run-out. The big screen shows that Smriti Mandhana is just short of the crease when the lights on the stumps come off. India Women lose their first.

Excellent work from Chamari Athapaththu to opt for throwing the ball onto the stumps and not carrying it gets her the priced wicket of Smriti Mandhana against the run of play. Credit to Chamari Athapaththu's game awareness. 

12.3: Chamari Athapaththu to Smriti Mandhana, Fuller on the stumps. Smriti Mandhana offers a front foot defence back to the bowler.

12.2: Chamari Athapaththu to Smriti Mandhana, FOUR! that's FIFTY for Smriti Mandhana! Second against Sri Lanka Women and what a time to play this innings! Chamari Athapaththu drags the length back on the pads of Smriti Mandhana who pulls it away well behind deep square leg and gets the boundary to bring up her FIFTY.

12.1: Chamari Athapaththu to Shafali Verma, Comes over the stumps and pitches the ball up on the off stump. Shafali Verma walks in and slams the ball up and over to long off for a run.

Skipper Chamari Athapaththu (1-0-10-0) has brought herself back into the attack. 

11.6: Ama Kanchana to Shafali Verma, Drops the length on the pads this time. Shafali Verma tucks it to the right of short fine and runs a single more to end the over.

11.5: Ama Kanchana to Shafali Verma, Short, wide, and slammed straight to covers by Shafali Verma off the backfoot.

11.4: Ama Kanchana to Smriti Mandhana, On the length and pulls away once again from the dangerous Smriti Mandhana who moves onto 46.

11.3: Ama Kanchana to Shafali Verma, Fuller outside the off stump line and Shafali Verma launches it up again off the front foot and gets it to fall short of long off for a run.

11.2: Ama Kanchana to Smriti Mandhana, Just short on the pads. Smriti Mandhana pulls the ball well to deep square leg for a run.

11.2: Ama Kanchana to Smriti Mandhana, WIDE! Wayward outside the off stump wide line this time. Ama Kanchana not getting her line right.

11.1: Ama Kanchana to Shafali Verma, On the length outside the off stump line. Shafali Verma slogs it straight up in the air and runs a single from long off.

11.1: Ama Kanchana to Shafali Verma, WIDE! Bowls it outside the leg stump. Good stop behind the stumps but the umpire signals WIDE and the free hit continues.

11.1: Ama Kanchana to Shafali Verma, NO BALL! Runs in from over the wicket and swings the ball into the right-hander from a nagging length on the pads. Shafali Verma looks to pull the ball but gets a glove, up in the air that falls to the left of short fine. The batters get a couple of runs from deep square leg and the Umpire signals NO BALL for over stepping.

10.6: Kaveesha Dilhari to Shafali Verma, Fuller on the off stump line. Shafali Verma slogs the ball to deep mid-wicket on the bounce and runs a single to end the over. India Women moving ahead well.

10.5: Kaveesha Dilhari to Smriti Mandhana, Picked up nicely off the pads, Smriti Mandhana times the pull well and finds deep square leg for a single.

10.4: Kaveesha Dilhari to Smriti Mandhana, Floats this up outside the off stump, slower in the air. Smriti Mandhana looks to sweep the ball but gets the bottom edge onto the off side. Smiles all around.

10.4: Kaveesha Dilhari to Smriti Mandhana, WIDE! Armball off the target. Kaveesha Dilhari drops it short outside the leg stump line and the umpire says Wide.

10.3: Kaveesha Dilhari to Shafali Verma, Just short outside the leg stump this time. Shafali Verma slogs it to the right of deep square leg and runs a run.

10.2: Kaveesha Dilhari to Shafali Verma, On the nagging length on the stumps from over the stumps. Shafali Verma slams it off the backfoot but straight to mid-wicket.

10.1: Kaveesha Dilhari to Smriti Mandhana, On the pads, short. Smriti Mandhana tucks it to deep mid-wicket and gets a run.

Drinks! The openers of India Women have managed to bring up the best start from them in the tournament so far and what a time to get back in form for both Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma. Smriti Mandhana started off slow and played second fiddle to Shafali Verma when she started hitting boundaries and after the Powerplay, it has been the Smriti Mandhana show! Sri Lanka Women are still in the hunt for that first break-through and will be looking for a few more quickly if they want to get a grip back in the game. Let's see what happens after the break. Kaveesha Dilhari to start the attack after Drinks.

9.6: Inoka Ranaweera to Smriti Mandhana, Floated outside off. Smriti moves in and looks to access the leg side. Goes for the sweep and manages an inside edge onto it. The keeper was blindsided as the ball went past her to her left. The batters take one. 

9.5: Inoka Ranaweera to Shafali Verma, Tossed up on middle and off, Shafali Verma slogs this towards deep mid-wicket for one. 

9.4: Inoka Ranaweera to Shafali Verma, Slower and flatter on leg. Shafali Verma goes foe the sweep but gets it away off her gloves and closer to the keeper for no run. 

9.3: Inoka Ranaweera to Smriti Mandhana, Short of a length around middle and leg, Smriti Mandhana moves across and pulls this towards deep square on couple of bounces for one this time. 

9.3: Inoka Ranaweera to Smriti Mandhana, WIDE! Smriti is winning this game of cat and mouse. Smriti Mandhana moves in early and Inoka Ranaweera darts it way wide of off, Smriti Mandhana leaves it. Wided.

9.2: Inoka Ranaweera to Smriti Mandhana, Flights it over the eyelid of Smriti Mandhana. The batter moves in and sweeps this over square leg for a couple. 

9.1: Inoka Ranaweera to Shafali Verma, Short of a length, in the line of stumps. Shafali Verma gently rolls this all along the carpet towards long on for one. 

8.6: Chamari Athapaththu to Shafali Verma, Tossed up on leg, Shafali Verma slogs this towards deep mid-wicket for a single. 

8.5: Chamari Athapaththu to Smriti Mandhana, Quicker and fuller, in the line of stumps. Smriti Mandhana drills this towards deep extra cover for one. 

8.4: Chamari Athapaththu to Smriti Mandhana, FOUR! Brought the long off inside the circle and Smriti Mandhana lofts it over Fernando at mid off for four. Short and wid outside off, Smriti Mandhana despite jumping down the track, moves to her leg and lofts this over mid off for four runs. Toying with the field. 

8.3: Chamari Athapaththu to Smriti Mandhana, Flighted on leg, Smriti Mandhana moves away from the line of it, jumps down the track and lofts this towards wide long off for a couple more. Inoshi Fernando runs sideways from long off and puts in a diving effort to keep it down to two. 

8.2: Chamari Athapaththu to Smriti Mandhana, Tossed up, on leg. Smriti Mandhana goes for the sweep but misses. The ball goes on and hits her. 

8.1: Chamari Athapaththu to Smriti Mandhana, Floated around off, Smriti Mandhana lofts this inside out over cover for a couple. 

7.6: Udeshika Prabodani to Smriti Mandhana, Pitched-up, following Smriti to her leg. Smriti Mandhana ends up chipping this in front of long off for a single. 

7.5: Udeshika Prabodani to Smriti Mandhana, Good length around middle and leg, Smriti Mandhana rocks back and pulls this towards the right of deep square for a couple this time. 

7.4: Udeshika Prabodani to Shafali Verma, On a length around the pads, Shafali Verma tucks this through square leg region for another single. 

7.3: Udeshika Prabodani to Smriti Mandhana, On a length around middle and leg, Smriti Mandhana drags this towards deep mid-wicket region for one. 

7.2: Udeshika Prabodani to Smriti Mandhana, FOUR! It is Smriti Mandhana who is scoring freely now. Full and wide outside off, Smriti Mandhana moves away from he line of it, opens up her off side and loft this over cover for four. 

7.1: Udeshika Prabodani to Shafali Verma, Quicker and flatter on the pads, Shafali Verma goes down on a knee and sweeps this on the bounce towards deep square leg for one. Vishmi Gunarathne in the deep had the option to attack the ball and go for the catch but she decided to save the boundary and not put her body on the line. 

6.6: Inoka Ranaweera to Smriti Mandhana, SIX! UP IN THE AIR AND FAR ENOUGH! Tossed up, around middle and leg. Smriti Mandhana dances down the track, gets right on top of it and slogs this up and over the fence towards the long on region to get her first biggie of the game. 

6.5: Inoka Ranaweera to Shafali Verma, Dealing in singles are India Women openers. Fuller, on leg. Shafali Verma drills this down to long on for one. 

6.4: Inoka Ranaweera to Smriti Mandhana, Tossed up on leg, Smriti Mandhana flicks this through mid-wicket for another single. 

6.3: Inoka Ranaweera to Shafali Verma, Short of a length around leg, Shafali Verma tucks this towards deep mid-wicket for a single. 

6.2: Inoka Ranaweera to Shafali Verma, Flighted in middle, Shafali Verma drills this back to the bowler. 

6.1: Inoka Ranaweera to Smriti Mandhana, Short of a length around middle and leg, Smriti Mandhana rocks back and tucks this away through square leg region for a single. 

5.6: Sugandika Kumari to Shafali Verma, FOUR! Shafali Verma is starting to find her groove. Short of a length, angling into the right-hander. Shafali Verma clears her front foot and flicks this through backward square leg for a boundary. Ends the Powerplay with a boundary and by far the best for India Women in this Women's World Cup, 2024. 

5.5: Sugandika Kumari to Smriti Mandhana, Length dragged back a bit, Smriti Mandhana flicks this hops back and slaps this through mid-wicket for only a single this time. 

5.4: Sugandika Kumari to Smriti Mandhana, FOUR! UP AND OVER FOR FOUR! Tossed up around middle and leg, Smriti Mandhana moves away from the line of it and lofts this up and over the bowler towards her left for a boundary down to long on fence. 

5.3: Sugandika Kumari to Smriti Mandhana, Kumari delivers this wide outside off, Smriti Mandhana uses the depth of her crease and cuts this to point for no run. 

5.2: Sugandika Kumari to Smriti Mandhana, Full and wide outside off, Smriti Mandhana drives this towards short extra cover for a dot this time. 

5.1: Sugandika Kumari to Smriti Mandhana, Tossed up, outside off. Smriti Mandhana moves across and lofts this behind mid on for a couple of runs. 

4.6: Inoshi Fernando to Shafali Verma, Flighted delivery on a nagging length outside the off stump, turning into the right-hander. Shafali Verma drops back to slice it but gets the inside edge of the bat onto the pads to end the over.

4.5: Inoshi Fernando to Shafali Verma, Floats it full outside off. Shafali Verma gets down on one knee and sweeps it along the ground to the right of deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs more.

4.4: Inoshi Fernando to Shafali Verma, FOUR! BANG! All the heavy lifting has been done by Shafali Verma for India Women at the moment. Tad fuller from Inoka Ranaweera this time around and outside off. Shafali Verma takes a good foot out and gets underneath the ball to loft it comfortably over mid-off for a boundary. 

4.3: Inoshi Fernando to Shafali Verma, Three dots in a row! Inoka Ranaweera drops it short and outside the off-stump. Shafali Verma shuffles across and punches it straight to mid-wicket. 

4.2: Inoshi Fernando to Shafali Verma, Pitches this one on a length at the stumps. Shafali Verma backs away and punches it to cover. Another dot ball.

4.1: Inoshi Fernando to Shafali Verma, Over the wicket and full and around off. Shafali Verma drives it down to mid-off and gets no run.

Are we going to see changes from both ends? No, the skipper of Sri Lanka Women, Chamari Athapaththu sticks with Inoshi Fernando. 

3.6: Kaveesha Dilhari to Smriti Mandhana, Comes around the wicket and pitches it touch full and around off. Smriti Mandhana sits down on one knee to sweep but misses. 

3.5: Kaveesha Dilhari to Shafali Verma, On the pads again, flicked away to deep mid-wicket for a run.

3.4: Kaveesha Dilhari to Shafali Verma, FOUR! Second for Shafali Verma! Kaveesha Dilhari misses her line and strays on the pads of Shafali Verma who takes the front foot out and flicks the ball up and over the head of square leg for a boundary.

3.3: Kaveesha Dilhari to Shafali Verma, Comes over the wicket and tosses the ball up on the middle and leg. Shafali Verma clears her front leg to drag it in the leg side but misses it onto the pads. 

3.2: Kaveesha Dilhari to Smriti Mandhana, Drops the ball a tad short outside off. Smriti Mandhana goes deep and drags it down to deep mid-wicket for a run. 

3.1: Kaveesha Dilhari to Smriti Mandhana, Comes around the wicket and bowls on a nagging length outside the off-stump. Smriti Mandhana backs away and cuts it to point. 

We have our first bowling change of the game. Kaveesha Dilhari comes into the attack. 

2.6: Udeshika Prabodani to Smriti Mandhana, Another ball up on the off stump and Smriti Mandhana slices it up and over the head of covers but does not find the desired timing. Settles for a single.

2.5: Udeshika Prabodani to Smriti Mandhana, Pitches the ball up outside off and Smriti Mandhana drives it really hard but straight to covers.

2.4: Udeshika Prabodani to Shafali Verma, Floats it up on the stumps this time. Shafali Verma drives it to long on this time and gets a run.

2.3: Udeshika Prabodani to Shafali Verma, Comes over the wickets and drops the length on the pads. Shafali Verma tucks it straight to square leg and denies the single to her partner.

2.2: Udeshika Prabodani to Shafali Verma, FOUR! First of the innings! Shafali Verma launches the ball in the air well and gets the first boundary of the night for her team. Udeshika Prabodani drops the length back outside the off stump line and Shafali Verma stands tall on the crease and plays the inside out shot with the bounce, over mid off to find four runs.

2.1: Udeshika Prabodani to Shafali Verma, Fires on the nagging length on the pads of Shafali Verma who flicks the ball well to the right of deep mid-wicket and the batters run a couple.

1.6: Sugandika Kumari to Shafali Verma, Fires it on the leg stump, arm ball. Shafali Verma drives it well to long on for just a single to end the over.

1.5: Sugandika Kumari to Shafali Verma, Drops the length back on top of off. Shafali Verma punches it from the crease straight to covers.

1.4: Sugandika Kumari to Smriti Mandhana, Pitches this outside the off stump line and fuller. Smriti Mandhana strokes it down to long off for another single.

1.3: Sugandika Kumari to Shafali Verma, Bowls it on the pads again from around the stumps. Shafali Verma tucks it to long on from the crease and gets a run.

1.2: Sugandika Kumari to Smriti Mandhana, Comes around the stumps and floats the ball outside the off stump line. Smriti Mandhana drives the ball to long off for a single more.

1.1: Sugandika Kumari to Shafali Verma, Fuller this time from over the stumps. Shafali Verma drives the ball to long on for a single off the front foot.

Who will be sharing the new ball attack with Inoshi Fernando? Well, it is going to be spin from both ends as Sugandika Kumari will bowl from the other end. 

0.6: Inoshi Fernando to Shafali Verma, Just short on the stumps. Shafali Verma punches it down the ground to long on and gets a run to end the first over.

0.5: Inoshi Fernando to Smriti Mandhana, Another floater on the stumps from around the wicket. Smriti Mandhana dances down the track and drives the ball to the left of mid on for a single.

0.4: Inoshi Fernando to Smriti Mandhana, Tosses it up from around the wicket angle. Smriti Mandhana offers a solid front foot block.

0.3: Inoshi Fernando to Shafali Verma, Drops the length back to the right hander outside off. Shafali Verma slices it from the crease to sweeper covers and gets a single.

0.2: Inoshi Fernando to Smriti Mandhana, Another good single taken by India Women's vice-captain Smriti Mandhana as she plays a good cover drive to a fuller length delivery and sets off for a single as the covers fielder fumbles the ball while stoping it.

0.1: Inoshi Fernando to Shafali Verma, Starts off over the wicket to the right-hander and drops it short outside the off stump line. Shafali Verma gets back and cuts the ball to sweeper covers and gets off the mark with a single.

We are all in readiness for this crucial game to begin. The umpires are out in the middle followed by the players of Sri Lanka Women led by Chamari Athapaththu. For India Women, it's the dynamic duo of Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma right at the top. The duo is yet to provide a decent start to India Women in this tournament. Sri Lanka Women will start their bowling attack with the spin of Inoshi Fernando. A match-up for Verma but will she take Inoshi on? Let's find out. 

Time for the National Anthems of the respective countries. It will be Sri Lanka's first followed by the National Anthem of India. 

PITCH REPORT! Ian Bishop notes that conditions at the Dubai International Stadium are cooler compared to the earlier game, which is pleasant for the players as the day turns into night. Discussing the dimensions, he mentions that the boundary to the right from the Sports City end is 57 meters, a short side, while the left is larger at 63 meters, with 73 meters straight down the ground. WV Raman adds that the surface has been drier, favoring spinners, but during the evening, the ball tends to skid on better, making it more favorable for batters to play shots.

Sri Lanka Women's captain Chamari Athapaththu says she feels the conditions are slow and low but believes her team is sticking to their plans and hopes to play their best cricket. She emphasizes the need to be fearless in the middle overs, noting that while big shots are possible during the powerplay, the focus should shift to rotating the strike afterward. Athapaththu also confirms one change in the lineup, with Hasini Perera missing out and Ama Kanchana coming into the side.

The skipper of India, Harmanpreet Kaur, says they are going to bat first and so far they have not done well but will be looking to put a big total on board. Mentions that they are really happy that they get support despite of the venue where they play. Reckons that they played good cricket in the Asia Cup as well but just had one bad day and Sri Lanka Women took advantage of that but it's a new game today and they will look to start afresh. Informs that they are unchanged for this game.

Sri Lanka Women (Playing XI) - Vishmi Gunarathne, Chamari Athapaththu (C), Harshitha Samarawickrama, Kaveesha Dilhari, Nilakshika Silva, Anushka Sanjeewani (WK), Ama Kanchana (In place of Hasini Perera), Sugandika Kumari, Inoshi Fernando, Inoka Ranaweera, Udeshika Prabodani.

India Women (Playing XI) - Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (WK), Deepti Sharma, Sajana Sajeevan, Arundhati Reddy, Shreyanka Patil, Asha Sobhana, Renuka Singh Thakur.

TOSS! Harmanpreet Kaur of India Women wins the coin toss on a crucial match and she decides to BAT first!