India target series win against under-pressure Sri Lanka

Two matches, two big wins. India have stamped their authority on the series, outclassing Sri Lanka across departments. On both occasions, the top order has taken control of modest chases set up by a ruthless bowling unit picking up wickets in clusters. After a few lapses in the field in the opening T20I, India tightened up in the second, leaving little room for error.

Sri Lanka, clearly, have found the going tough. While a handful of batters managed to get starts in both games, there was a visible lack of intent resulting in sub-130 totals. Their bowlers, too, struggled to extract help from the surface with dew not helping matters. With several changes made to the squad and several youngsters drafted in, this series marks a phase of transition for Sri Lanka. The onus is now on the new faces to seize their opportunities and push their case ahead of next year's T20 World Cup starting June 12.

For India, one of the newer faces, Vaishnavi Sharma, has already made an impression, picking up 2 for 32 in her four overs in the second T20I. The hosts could also look to hand G Kamalini, the other newcomer in the squad, her India cap later in the series.

The action now shifts to the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram. India are yet to play any format of cricket at this venue but with momentum firmly on their side, they will be eyeing another win to seal the five-match series.

India WWLWL (last five completed matches, most recent first)
Sri Lanka LLLWL

Jemimah Rodrigues appears to have found another gear in her T20 batting. In the first T20I, she unfurled an array of strokes, including late cuts, scoops and her signature sweeps to make 69 off 44 balls and pace a chase of 122 to perfection. She followed it up with a brisk cameo - 26 off 15 - in the second T20I, walking in after an early wicket and maintaining the tempo alongside Shafali Verma.

For Sri Lanka, Hasini Perera's struggles have continued. One of the more experienced batters in the side, she is yet to register a T20I fifty, with 46 not out her highest score after 78 trips to the crease. Her maiden ODI half-century came recently too - an 85 against Bangladesh at the ODI World Cup in October. She has found it difficult to push on in this series, falling to spin in both matches in the 20s. With younger players waiting in the wings, Sri Lanka will be hoping their senior batters, Perera included, can lend better support to Chamari Athapaththu.

Senior allrounder Deepti Sharma missed the second T20I with mild fever and is likely to come back into the XI if she's fit to play.

India (probable): 1 Smriti Mandhana, 2 Shafali Verma, 3 Jemimah Rodrigues, 4 Harmanpreet Kaur (capt), 5 Richa Ghosh (wk), 6 Sneh Rana/ Deepti Sharma, 7 Amanjot Kaur 8 Arundhati Reddy, 9 Kranti Gaud, 10 Vaishnavi Sharma, 11 N Shree Charani

Sri Lanka went in unchanged in the second T20I. They are unlikely to tinker with the squad unless there are injury concerns.

Sri Lanka (probable): 1 Chamari Athapaththu (capt), 2 Vishmi Gunaratne, 3 Hasini Perera, 4 Harshitha Samarawickrama, 5 Nilakshika Silva, 6 Kaushini Nuthyangana (wk), 7 Kavisha Dilhari, 8 Malki Madara, 9 Inoka Ranaweera, 10 Kawya Kavindi, 11 Shashini Gimhani

Greenfield stadium has hosted four men's T20Is to date, the most recent one taking place in November 2023. While the first three T20Is proved tough for the team batting first, the script changed in the fourth, when India piled on 235 after being sent in by Australia. It's expected to be cloudy in the evening on Friday, with a minimal chance of rain.