India Women capped off a dominant tour with another composed performance, defeating Sri Lanka Women by 15 runs in the fifth and final T20I to complete a 5–0 clean sweep of the series. The result underlined India’s superiority throughout the tour, as they consistently controlled key phases of play and delivered under pressure.

Batting first, India Women posted an imposing 175 for 7 from their 20 overs. The innings was anchored by captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who led from the front with a commanding 68 off 43 balls. After early setbacks that saw Shafali Verma, Gunalan Kamalini and Harleen Deol depart inside the powerplay, India required stability — and Harmanpreet provided exactly that.

The skipper rotated the strike efficiently before accelerating with authority, striking nine boundaries and a six to maintain momentum. Support came in patches, with Amanjot Kaur contributing a useful 21, but it was the late surge that lifted India to a formidable total. Arundhati Reddy produced a stunning cameo, remaining unbeaten on 27 from just 11 deliveries, her clean striking in the death overs decisively shifting momentum in India’s favour.

Among the Sri Lankan bowlers, Kavisha Dilhari and Chamari Athapaththu were the standouts, claiming two wickets apiece, but the attack struggled to contain India in the closing stages.

Chasing 176, Sri Lanka Women responded with intent and determination. Hasini Perera starred at the top of the order with a fluent 65 off 42 balls, while Imesha Dulani compiled a composed 50, keeping the chase alive with a crucial partnership that threatened to tilt the contest.

India, however, showcased their experience and composure. Timely breakthroughs in the middle overs stalled Sri Lanka’s momentum, with Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Vaishnavi Sharma and Shree Charani all making important contributions with the ball. Sharp fielding — highlighted by a crucial run-out — further tightened India’s grip on the match.

Despite a late push from Rashmika Sewwandi, Sri Lanka finished on 160 for 7, falling 15 runs short of the target.

The victory sealed a comprehensive 5–0 series whitewash for India Women, reflecting their consistency, squad depth, and tactical clarity throughout the series. Harmanpreet Kaur’s leadership and match-winning performance in the final game perfectly encapsulated India’s dominance as they closed the tour on a resounding high.

Brief Scores

India Women 175/7 in 20 overs

Harmanpreet Kaur 68 (43), Arundhati Reddy 27* (11)

Kavisha Dilhari 2/11, Chamari Athapaththu 2/21

Sri Lanka Women 160/7 in 20 overs

Hasini Perera 65 (42), Imesha Dulani 50 (39)

Deepti Sharma 1/28, Sneh Rana 1/3

England Tour of Sri Lanka 2026

England have opted for continuity and stability by retaining Harry Brook as captain for their white-ball tour of Sri Lanka in 2026, as preparations intensify for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup later that year.

The tour, which forms a key part of England’s World Cup build-up, will feature three One-Day Internationals and three T20 Internationals, with matches scheduled to be played in Colombo and Kandy. With Sri Lanka set to co-host the global tournament alongside India, the series is expected to serve as a valuable rehearsal under subcontinent conditions.

Balanced Squads with an Eye on the Future

England’s selections reflect a careful blend of experience and emerging talent. Josh Tongue has earned his maiden IT20 call-up following strong domestic performances, while Brydon Carse continues to cement his role as a versatile pace option across formats.

Fast bowler Jofra Archer remains part of England’s long-term World Cup plans and has been named in the provisional ICC Men’s T20 World Cup squad, though he will not travel to Sri Lanka as he continues his recovery from injury.

Will Jacks returns to the white-ball setup after missing England’s previous assignment, adding depth to both the batting and bowling units, while Zak Crawley’s recall to the ODI squad marks his return to the format after more than two years.

Experience Key in Subcontinent Conditions

Senior figures Jos Buttler and Joe Root provide leadership and experience, particularly important as England fine-tune combinations and roles in conditions similar to those expected during the World Cup.

Spin is expected to play a decisive role throughout the series, with Adil Rashid and Liam Dawson likely to shoulder major responsibility. England’s batting group will focus on adapting to slower surfaces, where shot selection and strike rotation will be critical.

Tour Schedule and World Cup Focus

England’s tour party is scheduled to depart on January 18, 2026, with the series getting underway at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. As the countdown to the World Cup continues, the Sri Lanka tour represents an important opportunity for England to build momentum, establish clarity in selection, and gain confidence under Brook’s leadership.

England Men’s IT20 Squad – Sri Lanka Tour & Provisional ICC Men’s T20 World Cup

Harry Brook (Captain), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer* (ICC Men’s T20 World Cup only), Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler, Brydon Carse* (Sri Lanka tour only), Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Josh Tongue, Luke Wood

England Men’s ODI Squad – Sri Lanka Tour

Harry Brook (Captain), Rehan Ahmed, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Luke Wood

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced the appointment of former pace spearhead Lasith Malinga as Consultant Fast Bowling Coach for the Sri Lanka National Men’s Team, in a move aimed at strengthening preparations for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Malinga’s appointment will be on a short-term basis, spanning a one-month period from 15 December to 25 January 2026. During this time, he will work closely with Sri Lanka’s national fast bowlers, focusing on preparation, skill development, and tactical execution as the team builds toward the global T20 showpiece.
One of the most successful fast bowlers Sri Lanka has ever produced, Malinga brings a wealth of international experience to the role. Renowned worldwide for his unique bowling action and exceptional ability in death overs, Malinga played a pivotal role in Sri Lanka’s success in limited-overs cricket, particularly in the shortest format of the game. His expertise is expected to be invaluable as Sri Lanka sharpens its bowling resources ahead of the World Cup.

Sri Lanka Cricket stated that the decision to bring Malinga on board is part of a broader strategy to leverage his proven knowledge of T20 cricket, especially in high-pressure situations. His guidance will aim to enhance consistency, accuracy, and match-awareness among the fast bowlers, key areas that often determine outcomes in T20 cricket.

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 will be co-hosted by Sri Lanka and India, adding further significance to the preparation phase. The tournament is scheduled to begin on 7 February 2026, with the opening match set to be played at the iconic Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) Ground in Colombo.

With home conditions playing a major role, Sri Lanka Cricket hopes Malinga’s involvement will provide the national side with a competitive edge as they prepare to compete against the world’s best teams on cricket’s biggest T20 stage.