Daijiworld Media Network - Visakhapatnam

Visakhapatnam, Dec 21: Jemimah Rodrigues produced a classy unbeaten knock of 69 to guide India to an emphatic eight-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the first T20 International of the five-match series at Visakhapatnam on Sunday.

Chasing a modest target of 122, Rodrigues was in splendid form, striking 10 boundaries in her 44-ball innings. She found able support from opener Smriti Mandhana, who scored 25, while skipper Harmanpreet Kaur remained unbeaten on 15 as India wrapped up the chase with 32 balls to spare. The hosts finished at 122 for 2 in just 14.4 overs.

Earlier, Indian bowlers put up a disciplined performance to restrict Sri Lanka to 121 for 6 after Harmanpreet won the toss and opted to bowl. Deepti Sharma (1/20), Kranti Gaud (1/23) and Shree Charani (1/30) picked up a wicket each, while sharp fielding resulted in three Sri Lankan batters being run out.

Vishmi Gunaratne top-scored for Sri Lanka with 39, while Hasini Perera contributed 20 and Harshitha Samarawickrama added 21.

The match marked India’s first appearance since their ODI World Cup triumph in November, and the team made a confident start to the T20 series.

Brief scores:

Sri Lanka: 121 for 6 in 20 overs (Vishmi Gunaratne 39; Deepti Sharma 1/20).

India: 122 for 2 in 14.4 overs (Jemimah Rodrigues 69*; Smriti Mandhana 25).

India now lead the five-match T20I series 1-0.