TE24 Sports Desk:
India captain Harmanpreet Kaur did not have a second thought to endure what the group had hoped to bat at a higher strike-rate after losing by seven wickets in the third and final T20 against Sri Lanka on Monday.
This is India’s most memorable T20I match against island nation Sri Lanka.
“Sri Lanka deserved this success, especially in the way they batted. We had the organization, but we really wanted a higher strike-rate because of the group to come and support women’s cricket,” Harmanpreet said after the match.
Chamari Athapathu played an unbeaten 80 off 48 balls. His thump was studded with 14 limits and one of the greatest. Athapathu has reshaped Sri Lanka’s innings with Nilakshi de Silva after India started early.
India took the lead early, reducing Sri Lanka to 36/2 in five overs. Nonetheless, Athapathu and De Silva chased down a 139-run target to create a strong 77-run stand to put Sri Lanka in a comfortable position.
Earlier in the day, Harmanpreet Kaur (39 * off 33 balls) and Jemima Rodriguez (33 off 30 balls) decided to bat first to take India to 138/5.
After winning the T20I series 2-1, India will take on Sri Lanka in a three-match ODI series starting July 1. Harmanpreet was recently nominated as the ODI chief after Mitali Raj announced his retirement from all forms of cricket.
