India Women vs Sri Lanka Women: Second T20I Preview
After a thrilling series opener, India Women (IND-W) and Sri Lanka Women (SL-W) are set to clash in the second T20I on Tuesday, December 23 at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam. The upcoming match promises to be another exciting showdown between the two teams as they battle it out on familiar territory.
India Women’s Dominant Start
India Women, captained by the 2025 World Cup-winning skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, showcased their prowess in the shortest format of the game with a commanding eight-wicket victory in the first T20I. Jemimah Rodrigues played a stellar innings, scoring an unbeaten half-century to guide her team to victory with 32 balls to spare. Building on their success in the 50-over competition, the Indian team will be aiming to extend their winning streak against Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka Women’s Redemption
On the other hand, Sri Lanka Women, led by Chamari Athapaththu, faced a tough challenge in the opening match as they struggled to put up a competitive performance. Harmanpreet’s bowlers proved to be a formidable force, restricting the Lankan Lionesses to a modest total of 121 runs. Sri Lanka will be eager to bounce back in the series and put up a stronger fight in the upcoming game.
Match Details and Pitch Report
The match will be held at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam, where chasing seemed favorable in the series opener. With dew expected to play a role, bowling in the second innings could pose a challenge. Spinners are likely to thrive on the slow surface, making the toss crucial. The team winning the toss may opt to field first to take advantage of the conditions.
Predicted Playing XIs
India Women
1. Smriti Mandhana
2. Shafali Verma
3. Jemimah Rodrigues
4. Harmanpreet Kaur (C)
5. Richa Ghosh (WK)
6. Deepti Sharma
7. Amanjot Kaur
8. Vaishnavi Sharma
9. Arundhati Reddy
10. Kranti Goud
11. NR-Shree Charani
Sri Lanka Women
1. Chamari Athapaththu (C)
2. Vishmi Gunaratne
3. Hasini Perera
4. Harshita Samarawickrama
5. Kavisha Dilshari
6. Nilakshi Silva
7. Kaushani Nuthyangana (WK)
8. Kavya Kavindi
9. Malki Madara
10. Inoka Ranaweera
11. Shashini Gimhani
Key Players to Watch
Jemimah Rodrigues: After her impressive half-century in the first match, Jemimah will be a key player to watch for India Women. Her ability to find gaps and score runs at a brisk pace will be crucial for the team’s success.
Deepti Sharma: The skilled off-spinner delivered an outstanding performance in the first T20I, bowling a maiden over and picking up a crucial wicket. Her accuracy and control will be vital for India Women in the upcoming game.
Match Prediction
With a strong start in the series, India Women are likely to carry their momentum forward and secure another victory against Sri Lanka Women in the second T20I.
India Women’s Strengths and Strategies
India Women’s dominance in the first T20I highlighted their strengths in both batting and bowling. The opening duo of Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma provided a solid start, allowing players like Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet Kaur to capitalize on the foundation laid by the top order. Their aggressive yet calculated approach to batting puts pressure on the opposition from the outset.
In the bowling department, India Women boast a talented lineup with the likes of Deepti Sharma, Arundhati Reddy, and Vaishnavi Sharma who can stifle the opposition’s scoring rate and pick up crucial wickets. Their ability to adapt to different conditions and execute their plans effectively has been a key factor in their recent success.
Sri Lanka Women’s Resilience and Potential
Despite the setback in the first T20I, Sri Lanka Women have shown resilience in the past and possess the potential to stage a comeback. Captain Chamari Athapaththu is a seasoned campaigner with the ability to single-handedly change the course of a match with her explosive batting. The team will look to her for leadership and inspiration in the upcoming game.
Young talents like Hasini Perera and Harshita Samarawickrama have shown glimpses of their talent and will be eager to make significant contributions to the team’s success. Sri Lanka Women’s bowling unit, led by Inoka Ranaweera and Shashini Gimhani, will aim to apply pressure on the Indian batters and restrict their scoring opportunities.
Match Dynamics and Toss Impact
Given the nature of the pitch in Visakhapatnam, where chasing has been favorable, the toss will play a crucial role in determining the outcome of the match. Both teams will have to factor in the dew factor, which could make bowling in the second innings challenging. Captains will need to make strategic decisions based on the conditions and their team’s strengths to gain an advantage early in the game.
Player Battles to Watch
One intriguing battle to watch out for in the second T20I will be between India’s spinners Deepti Sharma and Sri Lanka’s middle-order batsmen. Deepti’s ability to vary her pace and extract turn could pose a challenge for the Lankan batters, who will need to counter her effectively to build a competitive total.
Another key matchup will be between Sri Lanka’s opening bowlers and India’s aggressive top order. If the Sri Lankan pacers can pick up early wickets and put pressure on the Indian batsmen, it could swing the momentum in their favor early in the game.
Final Prediction
While India Women are coming off a strong performance in the first T20I, cricket is a game of uncertainties, and Sri Lanka Women have the potential to stage a comeback. The upcoming match promises to be a closely contested battle, with both teams looking to outwit each other and secure a crucial victory in the series.
Ultimately, the team that can adapt to the conditions, capitalize on key moments, and execute their plans effectively is likely to emerge victorious in the second T20I between India Women and Sri Lanka Women.
