India One Down After Shafali Verma’s Early Exit in 5th Women’s T20I
Shafali Verma fell early as India lost its first wicket in the 5th Women’s T20I vs Sri Lanka in Thiruvananthapuram.
The fifth and final Women's T20I between India and Sri Lanka got underway on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram, with India aiming to complete a dominant 5-0 series whitewash. Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu won the toss and elected to field first, giving her bowlers an early chance to restrict India's powerful batting lineup. India, already leading 4-0, made two changes to their XI, bringing in debutant wicketkeeper-batter G. Kamalini and off-spinner Sneh Rana in place of Smriti Mandhana and Renuka Singh Thakur, while Sri Lanka also tweaked their combination by recalling Inoka Ranaweera.
The match began with early drama as India's explosive opener Shafali Verma fell cheaply for 5 off just 6 balls, leaving the hosts one down in the powerplay. Shafali, who had been in sensational form throughout the series with three consecutive fifties, was dismissed while attempting an aggressive shot, giving Sri Lanka an important breakthrough. Jemimah Rodrigues walked in at No. 3 to steady the innings alongside captain Harmanpreet Kaur, as India looked to recover from the early setback and post another challenging total on a pitch offering good bounce and carry.
India's batting depth remains a major strength, with key contributions expected from Harmanpreet, Jemimah, and the middle order to push for a big score. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, will rely on their spinners and disciplined seamers to exploit any early movement and keep the run rate in check. The visitors are playing for pride in the dead rubber, hoping to avoid a clean sweep after being outplayed in all four previous encounters.
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Fans can follow live updates, ball-by-ball commentary, and key moments on the BCCI website and official social media handles. The match is being broadcast live on the Star Sports Network and streamed on Disney+ Hotstar, with coverage starting from the pre-match build-up at 6:30 PM IST and the first ball at 7:00 PM IST. With India's series dominance already sealed, this final fixture offers a chance for both teams to fine-tune combinations ahead of future assignments.
As the game progresses, all eyes will be on whether India can bounce back strongly after losing Shafali early and set a formidable target, or if Sri Lanka can capitalize on the breakthrough to make a strong statement in the series finale. The contest promises exciting cricket as both sides look to end the tour on a high note.
Also Read: India Eye Clean 5-0 Sweep vs Sri Lanka in Final Women’s T20I at Thiruvananthapuram
