India’s women’s cricket team, led by skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, chose to bowl first after winning the toss in the inaugural T20I match against Sri Lanka held in Visakhapatnam. This match marks the beginning of a five-match series and is significant as it follows India’s triumph in the ODI World Cup last November.
In an exciting development for the Indian team, 20-year-old Vaishnavi Sharma made her debut. The talented left-handed batter and left-arm spinner is set to make her mark in the international arena. On the opposing team, Sri Lanka introduced Shashini Gimhani, a 17-year-old ambidextrous wrist spinner, showcasing the rising talent in women’s cricket.
Kaur’s decision to bowl first was influenced by the dew factor, which can impact the game as conditions change throughout the evening.
The teams taking the field are as follows:
**India Women**: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Richa Ghosh (wicketkeeper), Deepti Sharma, Amanjot Kaur, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gaud, Vaishnavi Sharma, N Shree Charani.
**Sri Lanka Women**: Chamari Athapaththu (captain), Hasini Perera, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Vishmi Gunaratne, Nilakshika Silva, Kaushini Nuthyangana (wicketkeeper), Kavisha Dilhari, Malki Madara, Inoka Ranaweera, Kawya Kavindi, Shashini Gimhani.
The match is expected to be a thrilling contest, with both teams eager to showcase their skills and make a strong impression as they step into the T20 arena.