Sri Lanka Shock India In Women's ODI Tri-Series, Register Three-Wicket Win

Fifties from Harshita Samawickrama and Nilakshi de Silva helped Sri Lanka defeat India by three wickets in fourth match of the women's ODI tri-series at the R Premadasa Stadium on Sunday. Wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh top-scored with 58 as India made 275/9 in their 50 overs In reply, Harshitha made 53 while Nilakshi turned the chase in the hosts' favour through a blazing 33-ball 56. All-rounder Nilakshi also shared a partnership of 57 off 38 balls with Kavisha Dilhari (35 off 32 balls), before she fell in the 43rd over.

Anushka Sanjeewani (23 not out) and Sugandika Kumari (19 not out) took Sri Lanka home with their unbroken 40-run stand for the eighth wicket, as the hosts' pulled off their second-highest successful run chase in women's ODIs. They also registered their first ODI win over India since 2018, which is also their third victory over the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side in 34 matches.

Pushed into batting first on a sluggish pitch, Pratika Rawal and Smriti Mandhana had a 51-run opening stand, before the latter was run-out in the final over of power-play. After Pratika was trapped lbw by Inoka Ranaweera, skipper Harmanpreet Kaur had partnerships of 42 and 44 with Harleen Deol (29) and Jemimah Rodrigues (37) respectively.

Richa then stepped up to hit 58 off 48 balls, while sharing a 52-run stand with Deepti Sharma. But once Richa fell in the 44th over, India failed to get the finishing kick they desired, as Sri Lanka conceded just 29 runs from the last five overs. Sugandika and skipper Chamari Athapaththu were the standout bowlers for Sri Lanka by picking three-fers each. .

In the chase, Sri Lanka never looked like they were out of control. Sneh Rana was once again the standout bowler for India with 3-45. But