IND Women vs SL Women, Final at Colombo, Women's Tri-Series (SL), May 11 2025 - Ball by Ball Commentary

And that brings to a close our coverage of this engrossing tri-nation series. No doubt the best team across the tournament came through as champions, but there were so many memorable moments provided by the Sri Lankans and South Africans. On behalf the entire team, this is Madushka signing out!

Harmanpreet Kaur: "Proud of the entire team, they really played good cricket. Really happy with the way we batted today. The improvement never stops though, such as areas like fielding, bowling and building good partnerships. Our medium pacers keep getting injured, so need to work on that. The team is working on that. But we're going to try and keep playing good cricket. But the way the other batters apart from Smriti and me, the way they batted was a big positive. The way Sneh Rana bowled was also a big positive. There are a lot of positives to talk about, but just want the enjoy the moment right now."

Player of the Series goes to Sneh Rana: "I am very pleased to have contributed. After coming after so many months, I worked very hard, so I'm very grateful. The plan was simple - just stick to pace-off deliveries and yorkers. Worked with the bowling coach a lot, and it worked out. [World Cup] Very confident, especially in my team, who worked so hard and played brilliantly."

Player of the Match goes to Smriti Mandhana for her 116 off 101: "Mostly we plan our innings to first assess the conditions. Initially they held their lines, but later on we found ways to score. All the wickets have been really good batting wickets. Not that great to bowl, but our bowlers did well regardless"

Chamari Athapaththu: "First of a all congratulations to India, they played really well today. 300 plus is not easy to chase, we fought hard but we dropped some catches, and missed some runouts as well. Even our bowling unit struggled in the middle overs, but Smriti batted really well. We have to improve our fielding, we dropped catches and missed runout chances throughout the tournament. SLC is trying to get new fielding coaches as well, so we need to work on it. We also need to improve our batting, we need some powerhitters, but work needs to be done before the World Cup."

Time then for the post-match presentation...

Mike: "Regarding the DJ playing Hindi music, I've noticed a nice blend of Sinhalese, Tamil "

Shripad: "This match would have been much closer if Chamari had been in form. It is a testament to her class that she still hit a 50 score. I am afraid that if it continues like this in the World Cup, we might see her retirement at the end of it. However unfortunate it could be, it would be good to see her as a coach of the SL women's side soon. With her attacking attitude, it will bring a good change."

Uday: "Who score highest runs in the series? I guess most wickets were taken by Sneh Rana." --- Dercksen leads with 276 runs across four innings, but Mandhana is close behind with 264, followed by Rodrigues on 245.

Sandy: "Whoever is the DJ person in the stadium I am sure he/she is an Indian origin, because the DJ is playing SRK's song: "Dance pe chance maar le." :)" --- You underestimate how much Sri Lankans enjoy their Hindi music and cinema.

Nagraj Todur: "Who will get player of the series? I think it should be Sneh Rana for taking 15 wickets in the series!!" --- Certainly my shout as well, Nagraj.

Sri Lanka meanwhile will have plenty to takeaway from this series, most notably the range of contributions across the batting unit from players not named Chamari Athapaththu. Their bowling and fielding perhaps left a lot to be desired, but making a final in a tournament that included an impressive South Africa unit is no mean fit. They also beat India in the group stages, and will know there's certainly plenty there for them to build on.

5.40pm Fitting that Rana picked up the last scalp, she has been absolutely pivotal to India's performances during this tournament. She ends the series with 15 wickets in just four matches, playing for India for the first time since 2023. India's batting unit as a whole though was a class apart during this tournament, and come the final they put together their highest total of the series. Smriti Mandhana who had flattered to deceive across this series, came good with a devastating century, and then there were knocks right through the order as Sri Lanka's bowlers were put to the sword. It meant Sri Lanka were never really in it, even when Chamari Athapaththu was going strong. The total was always a touch beyond them. Sri Lanka though will wonder what could have been had they held on to the chances Mandhana gave them early on, with the Indian opener being dropped twice across her innings.