IND-W vs SL-W: Sri Lanka defeated India in ODI after 7 years due to half-centuries of Nilakshika-Harshita

Harshita Samarawickrama and Nilakshika de Silva hit half-centuries as Sri Lanka overcame India by three wickets in the fourth match of the Women's ODI Tri-Series at the R Premadasa Stadium on Sunday. Wicket-keeper batswoman Richa Ghosh made the highest 58 runs as India posted 275/9 in 50 overs. Sri Lanka came back in response with 278/7 in 49.1 overs. Harshita made 53 for Sri Lanka, while Nilakshika made 56 in 33 balls in quick time to seal the victory for her side. All-rounder Nilakshika also made 57 from 38 balls in an unbroken partnership with Kavisha Dilhari (35 from 32 balls) before being dismissed in the 43rd over.

Anushka Sanjiwani (23 not out) and Sugandhika Kumari (19 not out) shared an unbroken 40-run stand for the 8th wicket to steer Sri Lanka to victory, with the hosts achieving their second-highest successful run chase in WODIs. They also registered their first ODI win over India since 2018, which is also their third win over the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side in 34 matches.

Coming in to bat first on a slow pitch, India's Pratika Rawal and Smriti Mandhana shared a 51-run stand for the first wicket, but Smriti Mandhana was run out in the final over of the power-play. Pratika was then dismissed LBW by Inoka Ranaweera, after which captain Harmanpreet Kaur shared partnerships of 42 and 44 runs with Harleen Deol (29) and Jemimah Rodrigues (37) respectively.

Richa then scored 58 off 48 balls and shared a 52-run partnership with Deepti Sharma. But after Richa was dismissed in the 44th over, India failed to get the finishing kick they wanted as Sri Lanka conceded just 29 runs in the last five overs. For Sri Lanka, Sugandika and captain Chamari Athapaththu bowled brilliantly, taking three wickets each.

At the same time, Sri Lanka never looked out of control while chasing the target. Sneh Rana once again bowled brilliantly for India with 3-45. But all-rounder Kashvi Gautam limped off the field after bowling just five overs, which meant Harmanpreet had to use Pratika as the sixth bowler. Though Hasini Perera and Vishmi Gunaratne were dismissed early, Harshitha ensured the hosts remained steady in the run-scoring with her quickfire half-century.

But Nilakshika's innings took the match away from India. Using their big-hitting skills and India's poor fielding, Nilakshika and Kavisha scored 20 runs off Arundhati Reddy in the 37th over.

After that, Sri Lanka had no trouble winning the match. As a result, Sri Lanka scored 278/7 in 49.1 overs and won the match with five balls to spare. Sri Lanka are now level with India with four points and will now face South Africa, who are yet to win, on Tuesday.