Vaishnavi Sharma credits captain Harmanpreet Kaur for T20I debut success
What's the story
India's left-arm spinner Vaishnavi Sharma made a stellar start to her international career in the first T20I against Sri Lanka on Sunday. Despite not taking any wickets, Sharma's disciplined bowling kept the Sri Lankan batters under pressure, helping India restrict their opponents to 121/6 in 20 overs. She finished with impressive figures of 0/16 in four overs, giving away very few runs and building pressure throughout her spell. India later chased down the target in just 14.4 overs.
Acknowledgment
Sharma credits captain Kaur for support
Post-match, Sharma credited her captain Harmanpreet Kaur for the support and guidance she received during her debut. "She was telling me that I have done a good job in the past. 'You have done a great job. You have given incredible performances.' She was giving me her blessing," said Sharma at the press conference after India's victory over Sri Lanka in the first T20I.
Pre-match anxiety
Sharma's nerves before the match
Despite her impressive performance, Sharma confessed to feeling a bit nervous before the match started. "Yes, I was nervous before the National Anthem. After the National Anthem, I calmed down," she said. This shows how even debutants can feel pressure on their debut but manage to perform under pressure with support from teammates and captains.
Bowling brilliance
India's bowlers dominate Sri Lanka
While Vaishnavi Sharma bowled economically, Kranti Gaud (1/23), Deepti Sharma (1/20), and Shree Charani (1/30) picked wickets as they dominated the hosts throughout their innings. The match also witnessed three run-outs, further highlighting India's dominance on the field. This collective effort from the Indian bowlers ensured that Sri Lanka struggled to build partnerships and score freely during their innings.
Chase champions
Rodrigues and Mandhana's contributions in India's chase
In the second innings, Jemimah Rodrigues played a stellar role in the chase with an unbeaten 69 off 44 balls, including 10 fours. She matched Mithali Raj's record of four T20I fifties against Sri Lanka. Opener Smriti Mandhana also hit another milestone by becoming only the second woman to score 4,000 T20I runs after New Zealand's Suzie Bates.
Match result
India secure emphatic victory in first T20I
Thanks to the stellar performances from Rodrigues and Mandhana, India chased down the target in just 14.4 overs, winning by a massive eight wickets. Rodrigues was named Player of the Match for her match-winning innings. The victory not only marked a successful start to India's T20I campaign but also set a positive tone for the upcoming matches in Visakhapatnam on December 23.