By Srian Obeyesekere

Sri Lanka Women were again defeated by India Women in the second of the 5-match T20 series by seven wickets following a like manner dismal performance as in the opening game this time reduced to 128 for 9 off 20 overs which the Indians blazed through reaching 129 for 3 on a scintilating unbeaten 69 by Shafali Verma with 11 boundaries and a six to taking a back to back 2-0 lead yesterday at Vishakhapatam.

Sri Lanka, batting first, did start on a high of skipper Chamari Athapaththu’s cameo 31 off 24 with two scorching sixes and 3 boundaries as she took on India’s trump card quick Kantri Gaud to slashing her as Charani conceded a six misfielding on the boundary oline with Athapaththu blazed away with the field restrictions accounting for 31 off 24 balls out of Sri Lanka’s 38 off 5.3 overs following the early dismissal of Vishmi Gunaratne who was caught and bowled by Gaud.

Following Arhapaththu’s exit becoming the bait of Sneh Ranas flighted spin to mistiming a delivery, Harshitha Samarawickrama kept up the momentum top scoring with 33 hitting 4 boundaries with support from Hasini Perera 22 with 3 boundaries.
But again it was India’s spinners who made the difference led by Charani 2 for 23 to taking control following their dismissals.
India 129 for 3 (Shafali 69*, Rodrigues 26) beat Sri Lanka 128 for 9 (Samarawickrama 33, Athapaththu 31, Charani 2-23, Vaishnavi 2-32) by seven wickets