The ODI World Champions are back in action from tonight, but in a different format. With about six months to go before the T20I World Cup, India begin their preparations for the marquee event as they take on Sri Lanka in Vizag. India have 11 T20Is lined up before the World Cup, five against Sri Lanka in this series, three against Australia in Australia, and three against England in England just before the tournament.
These 11 games will be crucial for India to finalise their playing XI and, more importantly, settle their batting order. Jemimah Rodrigues’ performances in the ODI World Cup have ensured that she has established herself as India’s permanent solution at No. 3. India exited the group stage of the last T20I World Cup in Dubai, but since then the batters have shown far greater intent. Since the previous T20I World Cup, India have the second-highest run rate in women’s T20Is at 9.05 runs per over. Key batters such as Smriti Mandhana (strike rate 146.80), Shafali Verma (158.55), Jemimah Rodrigues (142.94) and Richa Ghosh (174.07) have consistently delivered in crucial moments.
India’s bowling unit is a blend of experience and youth. The pace attack will be led by the experienced Renuka Singh Thakur, alongside youngster Kranti Goud. In the spin department, Deepti Sharma’s experience will be complemented by young options N Shree Charani and Vaishnavi Sharma, the latter coming in for Radha Yadav.
Sri Lanka endured a disastrous 2024 T20 World Cup campaign, losing all their group-stage matches. Since then, the team has made a conscious effort to transition towards a younger squad. Their T20 World Cup preparations begin with this India series, followed by matches against West Indies and Bangladesh, before travelling to England for the World Cup. Sri Lanka have named a youthful squad featuring 17-year-old ambidextrous spinner Shashini Gimhani, 23-year-old seamer Kawya Kavindi, and 19-year-old Rashmika Sewwandi.
Form
India’s last five T20Is were against England in England, where they won the series 3–2.
Sri Lanka have played just two T20Is since the 2024 T20I World Cup, winning one and losing one against New Zealand, with the third match washed out.
Previous T20I meeting
India last faced Sri Lanka in the 2024 T20I World Cup in Dubai, winning by 82 runs. Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma provided a blistering start, with Mandhana scoring a half-century and Verma falling for 43 after another aggressive innings. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur also struck a fifty as India posted 172 batting first. Sri Lanka were then bowled out for 90, with Arundhati Reddy and Asha Shobana taking three wickets each.
Head-to-head in T20Is
Matches: 26
India won: 20
Sri Lanka won: 5
No result: 1
Players to watch — India & Sri Lanka
Jemimah Rodrigues
There has been considerable chopping and changing with Jemimah’s batting position since her debut. Her semi-final-winning knock in the ODI World Cup should have cemented her place at No. 3. Since the last T20 World Cup, she has been India’s second-highest run-getter, scoring 233 runs in eight innings at an average of 33.28 and a strike rate of 142.94, including two fifties. At No. 3, Jemimah will play a pivotal role and, carrying confidence from the World Cup, could pose a serious challenge to Sri Lanka’s young bowling attack.
Kranti Goud
Kranti Goud has already shown her potential in the ODI format and the WPL. The T20I format will test her further, and with the new ball she could trouble Sri Lanka’s top order. While Sri Lanka’s bowling attack is inexperienced, their batting line-up, Chamari Athapaththu, Vishmi Gunaratne, Harshitha Samarawickrama and Nilakshi de Silva, is relatively seasoned. Kranti’s pace and variations could be decisive.
Chamari Athapaththu
Even after nearly two decades in international cricket, Chamari remains the fulcrum of Sri Lanka’s batting. If she gets going, as the famous commentary line goes, it is “going, going, gone”- for both the ball and the match.
Shashini Gimhani
The 17-year-old ambidextrous wrist-spinner is one to watch. She impressed against Australia Under-19s, taking six wickets in seven matches. Gimhani caught captain Chamari Athapaththu’s eye in the nets, earning a call-up to the World Cup qualifiers last year. At international level, she has six wickets from five matches at an economy rate of 5.53. Her primary strength is left-arm wrist spin, and with India having shown vulnerability against spin in the World Cup, Gimhani could play a significant role in this series.
Pitch
The Vizag surface is traditionally good for batting, offering value for shots, but there is also assistance for spinners. Dew could make gripping the ball difficult for bowlers and fielders later in the evening. India last played a women’s T20I in Vizag in 2014, also against Sri Lanka, when they lost while defending 117. Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur and Chamari Athapaththu are the only players from that match featuring in this game.
Probable XIs
India: Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Amanjot Kaur, Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Vaishnavi Sharma, Kranti Goud, Renuka Singh Thakur, N Shree Charani
Sri Lanka: Chamari Athapaththu (c), Vishmi Gunaratne, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Kavisha Dilhari, Nilakshika Silva, Kaushini Nuthyangana (wk), Manudi Nanayakkara, Inoka Ranaweera, Inoshi Priyadharshani, Shashini Gimhani, Malki Madara
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✔️ Key focus areas
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✔️ Probable XIsAll these and more as @TrishaGhosal builds up to the 1st… pic.twitter.com/1MZknOGJ0K
— RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) December 21, 2025
