Women's T20 World Cup 2024 Points Table: Updated standings after India vs Sri Lanka matchÂ
The Indian women's team made amends to their shaky net run-rate with a thumping 82-run win over Sri Lanka in the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup Group A fixture at the Dubai International Stadium on Wednesday, October 9. The Women in Blue avenged the 2024 Asia Cup final loss in dominant fashion to climb to the second spot in the points table.
Attaining the opportunity to bat first for the first time, India were able to build an innings without the pressure of the required run rate. Opening batters Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma took their time before switching gears. The pair put on 98 runs for the opening wicket.
The platform was capitalized by skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, who recorded her fastest T20I fifty to bolster India to the highest team total in the 2024 T20 World Cup so far.
Chasing 173 for the win, Sri Lanka got off to the worst possible start. Renuka Singh struck in the first over for the second successive time to dismiss Vishmi Gunaratne for a duck. In a surprise move, Shreyanka Patil was handed the new ball from the other end, and the tactic paid off as she claimed the crucial wicket of Sri Lanka skipper Chamari Athapaththu.
The island nation were tottering at 6-3 in the third over, and could not cope with India's relentless pressure. In contrast to the first two matches, the Indian players were sharp in the field, claiming some excellent takes on the field to expedite the batting collapse. Sri Lanka were eventually bowled out for a paltry 90 in the final over of the match.
With this win, India's net run-rate surpasses New Zealand's figure comfortably, with the latter's recent heavy defeat to Australia also playing a role. The Women in Blue now boast a net run-rate of +0.576, a massive spike from -2.900 post their defeat to New Zealand to begin the tournament. They are level on points with Pakistan, but hold a higher rank because of their superior net run-rate compared to their rivals' figure of +0.555.
Sri Lanka do not have much to show for after recording their third loss on the trot in the tournament. They still remain at zero points with a net run-rate of -2.564.
India to face Australia in a crucial clash on October 13
The Harmanpreet Kaur-led side will face defending champions Australia in their first match at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Sunday, October 13.
India beat Australia in the group stages of the competition during the 2018 and 2020 editions.