India head into the second T20I against Sri Lanka in Visakhapatnam looking to further strengthen their hold on the five-match series after a commanding opening win. The hosts were ruthless with both bat and ball in the first game, comfortably outclassing Sri Lanka, but a sloppy fielding display — highlighted by five dropped catches — remains an area in need of urgent attention.
Even so, the gulf between the two sides was evident once again. India have now won eight of their last ten T20Is against Sri Lanka, a run that underlines their dominance in this matchup. While the bowling unit strangled Sri Lanka through the middle overs and the batting lineup cruised through the chase, the missed chances in the field will concern the management as the series progresses.
Sri Lanka, meanwhile, will take some encouragement from past evidence that they can trouble India — but only when captain Chamari Athapaththu delivers. In their two wins over India during this recent stretch, Athapaththu struck decisive innings of 61 and 80. The pattern is clear once more: Sri Lanka’s hopes hinge heavily on their skipper. While Vishmi Gunaratne, Harshitha Samarawickrama and Hasini Perera showed flashes of intent in the opening T20I, all three struggled to score at better than a run a ball. For Sri Lanka to mount a genuine challenge, one of their top-order batters must bat deep and build an innings around Athapaththu.
Athapaththu herself admitted after the loss that Sri Lanka’s total of 121 was well below par. Asked to bat first on a relatively cool evening before dew set in, the visitors never found momentum. India’s bowlers remained disciplined, squeezing the scoring rate and shutting down any prospect of a late surge.
In contrast, India were clinical in pursuit. Jemimah Rodrigues anchored the chase with a fluent half-century, finishing the job inside 15 overs and ensuring there were no late nerves. With similar conditions expected in Visakhapatnam before the series shifts to Thiruvananthapuram, India will once again start as clear favourites, while Sri Lanka search for greater urgency and sharper execution.
Players to Watch: Vaishnavi Sharma and Chamari Athapaththu
The opening T20I marked the international debut of Vaishnavi Sharma, who replaced Radha Yadav in India’s XI. One of three spinners used by India, the 20-year-old was introduced just after the powerplay and nearly struck with her third delivery. She was unlucky again in her next over when a fumble denied her a wicket. Although she finished wicketless, Vaishnavi impressed with her control, conceding just 16 runs from four overs and playing a key role in India’s grip on the middle overs. With the T20 World Cup looming next June, India will be keenly monitoring her development.
For Sri Lanka, Athapaththu remains the central figure. Since 2024, she has scored 822 runs in 24 innings, including two hundreds and five half-centuries, at a strike rate of 125.11 — the best among Sri Lankan batters in this period. A substantial innings from their captain could not only lift Sri Lanka’s batting effort but also give them a realistic shot at levelling the series.
Team Outlook
India are expected to stick with their winning combination, continuing with a balanced attack featuring three seamers and three spinners. Sri Lanka, who went with two seamers and four spin options in the opener, may also resist the temptation to tinker despite a below-par performance.
A key milestone is also on the horizon for Deepti Sharma, who needs just two more wickets to reach 150 T20I scalps — a landmark that would see her trail only Megan Schutt among all bowlers in the format.
Sri Lanka’s task remains daunting. Their last T20I win against India on Indian soil came back in 2014, and they have lost all four matches played there since. To end that streak, they will need sharper intent, cleaner execution, and another captain’s knock from Athapaththu — otherwise, India’s dominance looks set to continue.
