Sri Lanka struggled to cope with an Indian side still riding the high of its ODI World Cup triumph, falling to a comprehensive eight-wicket defeat in the T20I series opener at the ACA-VDCA Stadium in Visakhapatnam on Sunday (December 21, 2025).

A stingy bowling effort followed by an effortless chase gave the 7,000-strong crowd plenty to cheer on a chilly winter evening in the port city.

Sri Lanka’s fortunes, particularly in recent times, have been inextricably linked to Chamari Athapaththu’s output.

True to script, India tightened its grip after sending the veteran packing.

The visitor’s laboured effort culminated in a modest target of 122, one that the Women in Blue, powered by Jemimah Rodrigues’ 14th T20I half-century, chased without breaking a sweat.

Put in to bat and with dew expected to set in as the evening wore on, Chamari, as usual, stepped into the aggressor role, with two boundaries off Kranti Gaud. A smart change in angle and going a touch quicker helped Kranti breach the Lankan skipper’s defence to give the 22-year-old her maiden T20I wicket. It was a throwback to her dismissal of Laura Wolvaardt at the same venue during the ODI World Cup.

Debutant Vaishnavi Sharma nearly claimed her first international scalp too, only for Shree Charani to spill a straightforward chance at short fine leg after a thick top-edge from Hasini Perera. However, Deepti Sharma contained the damage by sending her back in the next over.

Vice-captain Harshitha Samarawickrama, who survived a leg-before appeal early, took charge as Vishmi Gunaratne struggled at the other end.

Shree Charani dropped another sitter, this time off Arundhati Reddy’s bowling, to give Harshitha another life.

Shree Charani redeemed herself in the best way as the left-arm spinner beat a sweeping Harshitha with a faster delivery to rattle her stumps.

Vishmi’s instincts to inject urgency into the Lankan innings kicked in too late. She struck the only six of the innings, although Smriti Mandhana’s botched attempt to catch the ball had a big role in it.

Kawya Kavindi removed Shafali Verma early, but it barely dented India’s charge. Jemimah — who finished with a sublime unbeaten 69 — first combined with Smriti and then with Harmanpreet Kaur to give the host the lead with 32 balls to spare.

While Jemimah’s sprightly scoring and strike rotation make her the perfect No. 3 anchor, this match-winning innings should seal that spot in her favour as India seeks to finalise its XI for the T20 World Cup in England next summer.