Sri Lanka Bowl First as Kamalini Debuts, Mandhana Rested

The fifth and final T20I between India and Sri Lanka at Thiruvananthapuram arrived with contrasting motivations for the two sides. While India had already sealed the series with a commanding 4-0 lead, the final encounter offered an opportunity to test bench strength, reward consistent domestic performers, and give young talent exposure at the international level.

Sri Lanka, on the other hand, were keen to salvage pride and finish the tour with a stronger showing. The toss became an important early moment, setting the tone for a match that promised experimentation, fresh faces, and strategic adjustments from both camps.

Under clear skies in Kerala, Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu once again called correctly at the toss and opted to bowl first, continuing a pattern seen earlier in the series. The decision reflected confidence in her bowling unit and a belief that chasing could offer clarity on a surface that had played true across previous matches.

Sri Lanka choose to bowl in series finale

Winning the toss for the second consecutive game, Chamari Athapaththu chose to field, hoping her bowlers could exploit early movement and apply pressure on an Indian batting lineup that had been dominant throughout the series. With India already confirmed as series winners, Sri Lanka aimed to seize any early advantage and disrupt the hosts’ rhythm.

The Thiruvananthapuram pitch had shown consistency across the series, offering decent bounce and value for shots once batters settled in. Sri Lanka’s decision to bowl suggested a plan to strike early with disciplined lines and spin control through the middle overs, an area where they had struggled previously.

Athapaththu emphasized balance and intent, signaling that her side wanted to be proactive rather than reactive. For Sri Lanka, the final T20I was as much about learning as it was about performance, especially with several changes made to the playing XI.

India hand T20I debut to Gunalan Kamalini

The biggest talking point ahead of the match was the T20I debut of 17-year-old wicketkeeper-batter Gunalan Kamalini. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur presented her with the cap, marking a significant milestone in the youngster’s rapidly rising cricketing journey.

Kamalini’s selection was a reward for her impressive performances at the junior and domestic levels. She was part of India’s victorious Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup squad earlier in the year and followed it up with a strong showing in the Senior Women’s T20 Trophy, where she emerged as Tamil Nadu’s leading run-scorer.

Batting at the top of the order, the left-hander accumulated 297 runs at a strike rate of 110, placing her among the most consistent performers in the competition. Her inclusion signaled India’s intent to invest in youth and build a robust pipeline ahead of future global tournaments.

India rest senior players, focus on depth

With the series already in hand, India made two changes to the XI that featured in the fourth T20I. Senior opener Smriti Mandhana was rested, while pacer Renuka Singh also made way as the team management looked to rotate players and manage workloads.

Allrounder Sneh Rana returned to the side, adding depth to both the bowling and lower-middle order batting. Harmanpreet Kaur, speaking at the toss, stated that the team was prepared to bat first once again and was keen to finish the series on a positive note.

Jemimah Rodrigues continued to miss out after being sidelined in the previous game due to weakness following a mild fever. In her absence, Harleen Deol slotted in at number three, providing stability and flexibility in the top order.

Sri Lanka ring in changes to bowling attack

Sri Lanka also made two changes to their playing XI, bringing back left-arm spinner Inoka Ranaweera and seamer Malki Madara after they missed the fourth T20I. The duo’s return was aimed at strengthening the bowling combination and offering more variety against India’s aggressive batting lineup.

Seamer Kawya Kavindi and offspinner Malsha Shehani were left out, reflecting Sri Lanka’s desire to experiment and assess different options ahead of future assignments. The team balance leaned towards a mix of pace and spin, with an emphasis on controlling the middle overs.

For Sri Lanka, the final match was an opportunity to test combinations under pressure and evaluate players who could form the core of the squad going forward, especially in the shortest format.

India playing XI for fifth T20I

India fielded a blend of experience and youth, showcasing the depth available within the squad. The lineup featured established stars alongside emerging talents eager to make an impression at the international level.

India XI: Shafali Verma, G Kamalini, Harleen Deol, Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Richa Ghosh (wicketkeeper), Deepti Sharma, Amanjot Kaur, Sneh Rana, Arundhati Reddy, N Shree Charani, Vaishnavi Sharma

The inclusion of Kamalini at the top, combined with Shafali Verma’s attacking instincts, underlined India’s aggressive approach, even in a match where the outcome of the series was already decided.

Sri Lanka playing XI for final T20I

Sri Lanka’s XI reflected continuity in leadership and batting, with captain Chamari Athapaththu leading from the front. The team aimed to post a more competitive performance by tightening execution and improving decision-making.

Sri Lanka XI: Chamari Athapaththu (captain), Hasini Perera, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Imesha Dulani, Kavisha Dilhari, Nilakshika Silva, Kaushini Nuthyangana (wicketkeeper), Rashmika Sewwandi, Malki Madara, Inoka Ranaweera, Nimasha Meepage

The batting lineup featured a mix of experience and youthful energy, while the bowling unit relied on discipline and variation to counter India’s powerful hitters.

Focus on finishing strong

For India, the final T20I was about maintaining momentum, testing bench strength, and giving young players meaningful exposure at the highest level. Harmanpreet Kaur’s side had dominated the series with clinical performances and sought to end it on a high.

Sri Lanka viewed the match as a chance to regain confidence, experiment tactically, and gather lessons from a challenging tour. Despite trailing in the series, the visitors aimed to show resilience and adaptability against one of the strongest teams in women’s cricket.

As the players took the field in Thiruvananthapuram, the stage was set for a contest that went beyond the scoreboard, highlighting transition, opportunity, and preparation for the future on both sides.

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