The action shifts south as the Indian women’s cricket team has touched down in Thiruvananthapuram ahead of the crucial third T20 International against Sri Lanka. With the five-match series currently tipped heavily in the hosts’ favor at 2-0, the upcoming clash at the Greenfield International Stadium presents a golden opportunity for the Women in Blue to seal the series with an unassailable lead.
The Mission: Seal the Deal in Kerala
After two dominant performances at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam, Harmanpreet Kaur and her troops have arrived in Kerala with high morale. The shift in venue marks the second leg of the series, with the remainder of the games scheduled to be played at the Greenfield Stadium.
For India, the objective on Friday is straightforward: win the match, go 3-0 up, and secure the series trophy with two games to spare. For Sri Lanka, it is a fight for survival and a chance to keep the contest alive.
Travel Diaries: High Spirits and Fan Moments
The mood in the Indian camp appears to be relaxed and jubilant. On Thursday, the BCCI released a travel vlog capturing the team’s journey from Vizag to Trivandrum. The footage highlighted the team’s popularity, with players pausing to click selfies with enthusiastic fans at the airport and receiving a warm welcome upon arrival at their team hotel.
Adding a lighthearted touch to the travel day was India’s newest debutant, Vaishnavi Sharma. The youngster took over the camera duties mid-flight, candidly capturing her teammates.
Recap: Dominance in Vizag
India’s arrival in Thiruvananthapuram comes on the back of two clinical victories that exposed the gap between the two sides.
- 1st T20I: It was a disciplined bowling effort that set the tone, restricting Sri Lanka to a modest 121/6. The chase was anchored by Jemimah Rodrigues, who crafted a classy 69 off 44 balls, guiding India to an easy eight-wicket win.
- 2nd T20I: The script remained largely the same, but the protagonist changed. After restricting the visitors to 128/9, it was Shafali Verma’s turn to shine. The young opener unleashed a blistering unbeaten 69 off just 34 deliveries, powering India to a seven-wicket victory in just 11.5 overs.
The Bigger Picture: Road to the World Cup
While the immediate goal is winning the home series, the management has its eyes set on a larger prize. This series serves as vital preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup, scheduled to be hosted in England next year.
With the tournament set to kick off on June 12 and the grand finale slated for July 5 at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground, every match in this series is a stepping stone toward finding the perfect combination for the global event.
As the lights go on at the Greenfield International Stadium this Friday, fans will be hoping for another commanding performance from the Women in Blue to wrap up the series in style.