India continued their dominance in the T20I series against Sri Lankasealing an unassailable 3-0 lead with a commanding eight-wicket victory in the third match at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday. The hosts once again followed a familiar blueprint, clinical bowling up front followed by a ruthless chase. Sri Lanka were kept to a modest total after losing wickets at regular intervals, leaving India with a straightforward target. The chase never looked in doubt as India cruised home with 40 deliveries to spare, underlining the gulf between the two sides in the series so far.

Renuka Thakur and Deepti Sharma script Sri Lanka’s batting collapse in 3rd T20I

Renuka Singh Thakur (4/21) made an immediate impact with the new ball, swinging it sharply and unsettling Sri Lanka’s top order. Hasini Perera provided early resistance with a brisk 25, including a couple of boundaries and an audacious scoop, but India quickly tightened the screws. Deepti Sharma broke the opening stand by dismissing Chamari Athapatthuwho struggled to get going and perished trying to force the pace.

Renuka then delivered the decisive blows in quick succession, first removing the in-form Perera before completing a sharp caught-and-bowled to dismiss Harshitha Samarawickrama. Her spell reduced Sri Lanka to 32/3 and effectively knocked the wind out of their innings. She struck again later to trap Nilakshika Silva leg-before, finishing with a memorable comeback performance. Deepti, meanwhile, continued her remarkable consistency, picking up 3/18 and equalling Megan Schutt’s record as the highest wicket-taker in women’s T20Is with her 151st scalp. Although Kavisha Dilhari and It’s over Dulani added 40 runs, Deepti ensured Sri Lanka never escaped, restricting them to 112/7, well below par on the surface.

Shafali Verma’s fireworks seal the deal for India in style

Chasing a modest target, Shafali Verma turned the contest into a one-sided affair with another breathtaking display at the top of the order. After three initial dot balls, the explosive opener changed gears instantly, dancing down the track to launch an 83-metre six over long-off and setting the tone for the chase. From there, she barely put a foot wrong, timing the ball sweetly and punishing anything loose.

Shafali smashed an unbeaten 79, laced with 11 boundaries and three towering sixes, registering her second consecutive half-century and making a mockery of the target. Spinner Kavisha Dilhari briefly slowed India’s progress by dismissing Smriti Mandhana and Rodroguebut the outcome was never in doubt. Shafali fittingly finished the chase with a boundary, capping off a dominant all-round performance and confirming India’s supremacy in the series with two matches still to play.

This article was first published at WomenCricket.coma Read company.