Sri Lanka Women Stun India in ODI Tri-Series Thriller at Colombo

Sri Lanka Women Snatch Victory Against India in Colombo Nail-Biter

A packed crowd at the R. Premadasa Stadium saw something rare on Sunday: Sri Lanka Women topped the table-toppers India Women in a dramatic ODI that kept fans on the edge right down to the final overs. In this fourth match of the ODI Tri-Series, Sri Lanka’s women chased down a steep 276 target and crossed the finish line with just three wickets in hand and five balls to spare. It’s a result that few expected, and one that rewrites the balance of the tournament so far.

India came into this game high on confidence after an earlier nine-wicket victory against the same Lankan side, but the home team flipped the script. Winning the toss, Sri Lanka decided to bowl first—a move that paid off as their bowlers delivered in crucial moments. India’s batting, which often looks unbreakable, showed cracks just when it mattered most.

Middle-Order Sparks for India, Lankan Bowlers Strike Back

The Indian innings was a patchwork of starts and stutters. Shreyanka Ghosh tried to anchor things with a well-built 58, showing patience and timing against wily Lankan spin. Jemimah Rodrigues chipped in with a brisk 37. After losing Harmanpreet Kaur cheaply, the middle order tried rebuilding. Steady partnerships kept the scoreboard ticking, but nobody managed to push on for a truly dominant score. For the hosts, Chamari Athapaththu was everywhere, grabbing figures of 3 for 43 and breaking the backbone of the Indian middle order. Dewmi Vihanga and Sugandika Kumari—each nabbing three wickets—turned up the pressure just when India looked ready to surge ahead.

After fifty tight overs, India wrapped up with 275 runs for 9 wickets. On many days, that total looks unbeatable. On this day, with the crowd behind them and momentum on their side, the Sri Lankan batters fancied their chances.

Chasing down a target near 300 is never straightforward, especially with an Indian attack that can squeeze opponents dry in the middle overs. But Sri Lanka’s opening duo looked composed. Slowly, though, the top order gave way, and it was left to Nilakshika Silva and Harshitha Samarawickrama to knit together a partnership that would shape the match. Silva was methodical, crafting her way to 56 in the face of rising tension. Samarawickrama, with 53, never let the required run rate slip too far away.

• Nilakshika Silva: Anchored the chase with a gutsy 56.
• Harshitha Samarawickrama: Supported brilliantly with 53, keeping nerves at bay during crucial stretches.
• Sugandika Kumari: Continued her all-round show, chipping in with both bat and ball at critical moments.

The chase had its jittery moments. With wickets tumbling in the final phase, Sri Lanka needed 18 off the last two overs. A couple of boundaries and some clever running wrapped up the chase with just one ball into the last over, sparking wild celebrations both on the field and in the stands.

The result is a massive statement for Sri Lanka Women, who not only avenged their earlier heavy loss to India but also threw the tournament wide open. With South Africa Women also in the fray, things are now delicately poised ahead of the next round of fixtures.

For India, it’s a reminder that no total is really safe and that the ODI Tri-Series can still throw surprises. For fans, this clash was an instant classic that adds another chapter to a growing rivalry in women’s cricket.