IND W vs SL W: Smriti Mandhana regains form, scores 50 off 38 before unfortunate run-out

It took almost 12 overs and the intervention of Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu to break the opening partnership between India's Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma in Match 12 of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Although Mandhana lost her wicket to an unfortunate run-out, she had just reached her half-century, giving Indian fans hope of seeing their star opener back in form.

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In the 12.4 over, Chamari Athapaththu bowled a flat delivery on off stump. Mandhana cut the ball towards the point fielder and took off for a run. However, there was a bit of a fumble, and due to indecision between the batters, Smriti was slow to react to the possibility of a single. The throw came to the non-striker's end, and Mandhana was caught short of her crease while desperately trying to complete the run.

Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana departs after scoring FIFTY off just 38 deliveries 👏👏

📸: ICC

Follow the match ▶️ https://t.co/4CwKjmWL30#TeamIndia | #T20WorldCup | #INDvSL | #WomenInBlue pic.twitter.com/GtkJQXvDq1

— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) October 9, 2024

With a score of 50 runs, Mandhana's innings, which included 4 fours and 1 six, came to an end. Fans on X (formerly known as Twitter) praised her for regaining her form, especially after her struggles in previous matches, where she scored only 12 runs off 13 balls against New Zealand and 7 runs off 16 balls against Pakistan.

"Classic, graceful Smriti Mandhana!"

How much I missed this.

— r. (@_thelostopinion) October 9, 2024

A brilliant innings from Smriti Mandhana 👏

– Scored 50 runs in 38 ball..!! pic.twitter.com/e42vae37b1

— Aashutosh Parbat (@aashutoshparbat) October 9, 2024

Smriti Mandhana gets run out after a solid fifty!

India lose first wicket down. 💔😭#ICCWT20WC #INDWvsSLW #T20WorldCup #INDvsSL pic.twitter.com/Nu3TxJ1kyB

— ARPIT™ (@ImArpit_18) October 9, 2024

As of now, after 16 overs, India has scored 126 runs but has lost both openers in quick succession, with Shafali Verma departing shortly after Mandhana for 43 runs off 40 balls. Currently, skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues are at the crease and will aim to guide India to a competitive total.

IND W vs SL W Teams:

India Women (Playing XI): Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur(c), Richa Ghosh(w), Deepti Sharma, Sajeevan Sajana, Arundhati Reddy, Shreyanka Patil, Asha Sobhana, Renuka Thakur Singh

Sri Lanka Women (Playing XI): Vishmi Gunaratne, Chamari Athapaththu(c), Harshitha Samarawickrama, Kavisha Dilhari, Nilakshi de Silva, Anushka Sanjeewani(w), Ama Kanchana, Sugandika Kumari, Inoshi Priyadharshani, Udeshika Prabodhani, Inoka Ranaweera

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