India Women vs Sri Lanka Women – 3rd T20I Match Preview (26 December 2025)

Date: Friday, 26th December 2025
Time: 13:30 GMT (07:00 PM IST)
Venue: Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram
Series: Sri Lanka Women's Tour of India 2025 – 3rd T20I
Series Standing: India 2-0, Sri Lanka 0-2

Match Overview

The third T20I of the Sri Lanka Women's Tour of India 2025 is set to take place at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram. With India already leading the series 2-0, the hosts will be looking to wrap up the contest and potentially rest key players for the remaining fixtures. However, Sri Lanka, under the leadership of Chamari Athapaththu, will be eager to avoid a whitewash and showcase a more competitive performance.

This will be the first-ever women’s professional cricket match at the Greenfield International Stadium, making it an exciting and historic occasion. While venue-specific stats are not yet available, the coastal conditions in Kerala are expected to favor aggressive batting and provide bowlers with minimal assistance.

Team Form and Key Players

India Women

India have been in commanding form, having won the first two matches comfortably. The batting unit has been in scintillating form, with Jemimah Rodrigues and Shafali Verma leading the charge. Rodrigues, the series' top run-scorer with 95 runs at a strike rate of 161.01, has been a rock at the top, while Shafali's explosive innings of 69 not out in the second T20I highlighted her ability to change the game in an over.

The bowling attack has been led by Shree Charani, who has taken three wickets at an average of 17.66, and Kranti Gaud, who has been effective with the new ball. With the series already in their grasp, India may look to rotate players in the final two games, but the third match remains crucial for maintaining momentum.

Key Players to Watch:

• Shafali Verma: The aggressive opener continues to deliver match-winning performances.
• Jemimah Rodrigues: Provides stability and has been the anchor of the innings.
• Shree Charani: The wicket-taking all-rounder will be key in dismantling the Sri Lankan batting.

Sri Lanka Women

Sri Lanka have struggled in the series so far, losing both matches by a significant margin. Their batting has been inconsistent, with only Harshitha Samarawickrama and Chamari Athapaththu contributing notable runs. The bowlers, too, have not found their rhythm, with only Kawya Kavindi managing to take more than one wicket in the two games.

However, with the series still alive, the Lankan side will be eager to regroup and put up a better performance. Chamari Athapaththu, who has scored 46 runs at a strike rate of 127.77, will need to lead from the front, while Harshitha Samarawickrama, with 54 runs in two games, remains the primary run-scorer.

Key Players to Watch:

• Chamari Athapaththu: The captain needs to step up with both bat and leadership.
• Harshitha Samarawickrama: The wicketkeeper-batter has been the lone bright spot in the batting.
• Kawya Kavindi: The only bowler to consistently impact the game.

Head-to-Head Record

In the last five encounters between India and Sri Lanka in T20I cricket, India have dominated with four wins to Sri Lanka’s one. The Indian side's superior depth in batting and bowling has often been the difference, and the current form suggests that this trend is likely to continue.

Venue Insights

The Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram is a relatively new venue for women’s international cricket. The pitch is expected to be batsman-friendly, offering good carry and minimal assistance for spin or swing. With a capacity for over 50,000 spectators, the stadium is likely to host a vibrant atmosphere, adding to the excitement of the match.

Match Predictions

• Toss Prediction: India
• Winning Prediction: India
• Top Batters: Shafali Verma (India), Chamari Athapaththu (Sri Lanka)
• Top Bowlers: Shree Charani (India), Kawya Kavindi (Sri Lanka)
• Most Sixes: Shafali Verma (India), Chamari Athapaththu (Sri Lanka)
• Player of the Match: Smriti Mandhana (India)
• Team Scores (Batting First): India 160+, Sri Lanka 130+

Final Thoughts

India go into this match as clear favorites, with a strong batting lineup and a bowling unit that has been effective in the series so far. However, Sri Lanka will not go down without a fight, and if their batters can find some consistency and the bowlers start to deliver, they could make this match competitive.

The 3rd T20I promises to be an exciting contest, with the hosts aiming to wrap up the series and the visitors fighting to avoid a whitewash. Cricket fans around the world are in for a treat as the India Women and Sri Lanka Women face off in what will be a historic match for the Greenfield International Stadium.

Catch the action on 26 December 2025 at 13:30 GMT – Don’t miss it!
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