Smriti Mandhana once again showcased her batting prowess in the final match of the Tri Nation Series. Her magnificent century not only thrilled the spectators but also propelled Team India to a commanding position.
Tri Nation Series 2025 Final: In the final match of the Tri-Nation Series between India and Sri Lanka women's cricket teams, Indian team's star opener Smriti Mandhana created history by smashing her 11th ODI century. Thanks to her brilliant innings, India set a challenging target of 343 runs for Sri Lanka.
The final was played at the Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, where India, after winning the toss, opted to bat first. The opening pair of Smriti Mandhana and young batter Pratibha Rawal took the field and adopted an aggressive approach from the outset. They laid a b foundation for India, putting on a 70-run partnership for the first wicket.
Mandhana's Historic Innings
In today's innings, Mandhana scored 116 runs off 101 balls, hitting 15 fours and two sixes. This was her 11th century, making her the highest century-scorer in ODIs for India. She surpassed England's Tammy Beaumont (10 centuries) and is now the third-highest century-scorer in women's ODI cricket.
Only New Zealand's Suzie Bates (13 centuries) and Australia's Meg Lanning (15 centuries) are ahead of her. If Mandhana maintains this form in the upcoming matches, she could soon reach the top of this list.
Middle Order's Stellar Performance
Even after Mandhana's dismissal, India's run rate didn't falter. Harleen Deol played a crucial 47-run innings, adding a 120-run partnership with Mandhana for the second wicket. Furthermore, captain Harmanpreet Kaur scored 41 and Jemimah Rodrigues contributed 44 runs, strengthening India's innings. After playing their full 50 overs, the Indian women's team posted a massive score of 342 runs for the loss of seven wickets. This score is among the highest totals achieved by India in a final and will be a monumental task for Sri Lanka.
A Daunting Challenge for Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka's bowling attack appeared completely ineffective in this match. Their main bowlers seemed helpless against the Indian batters. Neither the spinners maintained line and length, nor were the pacers successful in restricting the run flow. The combination of composure and aggression displayed in India's batting could serve as a model for any team.
Sri Lanka now faces the challenge of chasing down a target of 343 runs. They have experienced batters, but chasing such a large total in a high-pressure final will be no easy feat. The Indian bowlers will be aiming for early wickets to quickly derail Sri Lanka's hopes.
