Twitter Reactions: Mandhana, Harmanpreet, bowlers grant India massive win against Sri Lanka

India Women exacted the perfect revenge that one could by pulling off a mammoth 82-run victory over the victors of the Women’s Asia Cup 2024, Sri Lanka Women, in Match 12 of the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024.

After a weighty defeat against the Kiwis in the first game of their group-stage campaign, the Indians knew that they had to post a bulky total on the board to have the maximum likelihood of securing a huge victory to boost their net run rate to the best they could. And that was exactly the manner in which the openers, Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana batted. While Shafali was the more easier-going of the two, it was the southpaw who was more enterprising of the two. Although both the batters were dismissed off successive deliveries in the 13th over of the game, it was the skipper, Harmanpreet Kaur, who finally came good.

The Indian skipper finished off the first innings in style as overs 16-20 had only one such over in which Kaur scored less than a couple of boundaries. Harmanpreet brought up her half-century on the very last delivery of the Indian innings, as they put up a competitive total of 172 on the board. Other than Inoshi Priyadharshani and Kavisha Dilhari, who registered similar figures of 0/11 in their couple of overs, every other Sri Lankan bowler proved to be expensive.

Coming to the run-chase, it was the worst possible start for the Lankans and one which was the best possible one for the Indians. Three wickets for the Indians in the first three overs paved the way for the rest of the match. Dilhari and Anushka Sanjeewani did put on a decent fourth-wicket stand together, but it just didn’t come at the rate at which they were expected to bat. Ama Kanchana tried to keep the scoreboard ticking over from one end, but didn’t get the support which was required from the middle and lower middle-order, as Sri Lanka Women were skittled for a mere 90 runs with one delivery to spare.

The fielding was commendable from the Indian unit with nine of the 10 Lankan wickets being caught out. Apart from the fielding, what was equally praiseworthy was the bowling effort. Shreyanka Patil was miserly while opening the bowling along with Renuka Singh. Both bowled a total of 14 dot balls each in their respective spells. Arundhati Reddy and Asha Sobhana picked up three wickets each, registering identical figures (3/19). The only means of extras were leg-byes, contributing five runs to the eventual Lankan total.

Here’s how X reacted to the game between India Women and Sri Lanka Women –

India Women’s Registered their Biggest Ever Win T20 Worldcup 🙌💙

Our Next match against Aussies on Sunday 😬 pic.twitter.com/JcN9in9GmZ

— 𝑺𝒉𝒆𝒃𝒂𝒔 (@Shebas_10dulkar) October 9, 2024

India women beat Sri Lanka women by 82 runs in T20 World Cup to give tribute to Virat Kohli’s 82* vs Pakistan 😉#INDvsSL pic.twitter.com/xMIxVwyGlY

— Kriti Singh (@kritiitweets) October 9, 2024

IT IS NOW THE BIGGEST EVER WIN FOR ANY TEAM IN WOMEN’S T20 WORLD CUP HISTORY 🤯

Just Incredible!! pic.twitter.com/6fKivnprAC

— The Khel India (@TheKhelIndia) October 9, 2024

India Women net run rate increased from -1.217 to 0.576 after their victory against Srilanka Women. pic.twitter.com/VKbWJhX7mo

— Vijay Anaparthi (@VijayCricketFan) October 9, 2024

Harmanpreet Kaur now has MOST Player of Match awards for Ind in WT20 WC.

Most POTM Awards
4 – Harmanpreet Kaur*
3 – Mithali Raj
2 – Smriti Mandhana
2 – Punam Raut
2 – Shafali Verma#INDvsSL pic.twitter.com/RPR2Iat7Bd

— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats) October 9, 2024

I know there are some talented batters around, but Harmanpreet Kaur is India’s number one batter by a distance!
Another fantastic innings tonight!
👏👏👏#INDvSL #ICCWWC

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) October 9, 2024

Captains who won player of the match in t20wc 2024.#T20WoldCup #harmanpreetkaur #fatimasana #sophiedevine pic.twitter.com/s4fXibGmDO

— Sugu (@MegHPK07) October 9, 2024

Harmanpreet Kaur hits 84m massive Six 🔥

Biggest six of the tournament….!!! pic.twitter.com/WkTeUiuMiI

— The Khel India (@TheKhelIndia) October 9, 2024