India Women have taken a comfortable 1-0 lead in the five-match home Women's T20I series against Sri Lanka Women after claiming an eight-wicket victory at Visakhapatnam on Sunday night (December 21).

After the Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur won the toss, she sent the visitors to bat first. While Sri Lanka Women were restricted to 121/6 in 20 overs, India Women chased down the target in 14.4 overs after losing only two wickets. The hosts won the series opener by eight wickets with 32 balls remaining. 

Sri Lanka Women batters failed against disciplined Indian bowlers

Sri Lanka Women didn't get a strong start, as they managed to score 31/1 at the end of the powerplay. The situation was never improved despite the Indian fielders dropping high-catch chances.  The entire Sri Lankan innings experienced only nine fours and one six, while the Player of the Match Jemaimah Rodrigues hit 10 fours in the chase. 

Among the Lankan batters, only Vishmi Gunaratne (35), Hasini Perera (20), and Harshitha Samarawickrama (21) managed to reach the 20-run mark. The Indian bowlers were very disciplined. Deepti Sharma (1/20), Kranti Gaud (1/23), and Shree Charani (1/30) were the wicket-takers for India Women. 

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Jemaimah Rodrigues played powerful knock for comfortable chase

In reply, although the opener Shafali Verma (9) was dismissed cheaply after hitting two fours, the chase was never uncomfortable for the hosts. Another opener Smriti Mandhana scored a run-a-ball 25 runs, while she also became the second batter, after New Zealand legend Suzie Bates, to complete 4000 runs in Women's T20I history. 

While Jemimah Rodrigues scored 69 not out off 44 balls, captain Harmanpreet Kaur scored 15 not out off 16 balls, as the hosts chased down the target before completion of the 15th over. 

Among the visiting bowlers, only Kawya Kavindi (1/20) and Inoka Ranaweera (1/17) got wickets.