2025 was a landmark year for Indian women’s cricket. They reached heights no other team had touched before. And on Tuesday, they closed it out in absolute style.
Fresh off their ODI World Cup triumph, India played their first international series since that historic win. And they didn’t just win—they dominated. A clean 5-0 T20I series sweep over Sri Lanka in Thiruvananthapuram was the perfect ending to an unforgettable year.
The final match tested India’s depth. With a couple of first-choice batters missing, many wondered if they’d stumble. They didn’t. A composed knock from captain Harmanpreet Kaur and a late blitz from Arundhati Reddy powered India to a 15-run victory. India posted 175/7 and held Sri Lanka to 160/7.
With Smriti Mandhana rested, Jemimah Rodrigues out sick, and Shafali Verma falling early, the middle order had to step up. And Harmanpreet did exactly that. She hadn’t had the best year with the bat, but this was her chance to finish strong. Her knock wasn’t flashy or dominant, but it was exactly what India needed.
India batted first on a tricky surface and struggled to find rhythm early. Shafali, who’d been on fire with three straight half-centuries in the series, fell for just five in the second over.
Teenager G Kamalini, making her India debut as an opener, couldn’t capitalize either. Kavisha Dilhari trapped her LBW for 12. A poorly judged review confirmed it was crashing into middle and leg. Harleen Deol (13) and Richa Ghosh (5) also fell quickly. At 77/5 in the 11th over, India looked headed for a below-par total.
But Harmanpreet had other plans. She handled the Sri Lankan spinners brilliantly, mixing smart placements with powerful hitting to stop the collapse. Her 68 off 43 balls was another example of her stepping up when it mattered most.
She found a solid partner in Amanjot Kaur, her Mumbai Indians and Punjab teammate. Together, they put on a crucial 61-run partnership for the sixth wicket and rebuilt the innings.
The real fireworks came late, though. Arundhati Reddy’s unbeaten 27 off just 11 balls injected the momentum India desperately needed at the death. It was her highest score in international cricket, and she struck it clean. That cameo lifted India to 175.
For Sri Lanka, captain Chamari Athapaththu (2/21) and Dilhari (2/11) bowled well, but their fielding and catching let them down badly.
Brief Scores: India 175/7 (Harmanpreet Kaur 68, Kavisha Dilhari 2/11, Chamari Athapaththu 2/21). Sri Lanka 160/7 (Hasini Perera 65, Imesha Dilani 50).
