Jemimah Rodrigues and Poonam Yadav produced special performances to help India to a 13-run win over Sri Lanka in the first Twenty20 International of the five-match series here on Wednesday.
Jemimah smashed 36 off 15 balls in a whirlwind innings that saw her become the first Indian woman to hit three sixes in an over. The 18-year-old, along with wicketkeeper Taniya Bhatia (46 off 35 balls) and Anuja Patil (36 off 29) powered India to 168 for eight in 20 overs.
In reply, Sri Lanka made a flying start through Yasoda Mendis (32 off 12) and Chamari Atapattu (27 off 22), racing to 39 in 2.5 overs before the former was dismissed by Arundhati Reddy.
The home team remained in the hunt till leg-spinner Poonam’s regular breakthroughs helped India bowl out the opposition for 155 in 19.3 overs. The 27-year-old ended with figures of four for 26 off four overs.
Radha Yadav and Harmanpreet Kaur took two wickets each while Eshani Lokusuriyage top-scored for Sri Lanka with 45 off 31 balls.
The second match will be played at Colombo on Friday.
The scores:
India Women 168 for eight in 20 overs (Taniya Bhatia 46, Anuja Patil 36, Jemimah Rodrigues 36, Udeshika Prabodhani two for 18, Chamari Jayangani two for 23) bt Sri Lanka Women 155 in 19.3 overs (Eshani Lokusuriyage 45, Yashoda Mendis 32, Chamari Jayangani 27, Poonam Yadav four for 26, Radha Yadav two for 15, Harmanpreet Kaur two for 19).
