Twitter Reactions: Harmanpreet Kaur's blitz pushes India whitewash Sri Lanka in ODIs

India completed a 3-0 whitewash in the ODI series against Sri Lanka after a comprehensive victory in the third and final ODI at Pallekele on Thursday, the 7th of July. Sri Lanka were set a daunting target of 256 by India, but they fell short by 39 runs in their chase. Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur was magnificent on the day as she bailed out India once again in the series.

The hosts were rocked early in their chase after losing Vishmi Gunaratne cheaply, but skipper Chamari Athapaththu steadied the innings with Hasini Perera. The counterattack led by the Sri Lankan skipper didn’t last long after the powerplay, as she was dismissed by her opposite number in the 11th over. Sri Lankan batters were in the chase for long periods of the match as all of their middle-order batters got starts to their innings.

But as has so often been the case in this series, none of the Sri Lankan batters capitalized on the starts, and the Indian bowlers kept chipping away with wickets at regular intervals. The margin of defeat would have been much larger if it hadn’t been a late riposte from Nilakshi de Silva, who remained unbeaten on 48 as Sri Lanka’s innings concluded at 216 runs. Rajeshwari Gayakwad was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets to her name, while Pooja Vastrakar and Meghna Singh chipped in with a couple of wickets each.

Harmanpreet Kaur and Pooja Vastrakar led India’s fightback after a collapse by the middle order

Earlier in the innings, India were put in to bat by Sri Lanka after winning the toss. India had a decent start to their innings but lost star opener Smriti Mandhana in the seventh over. Shafali Verma continued on her merry way and stitched an important partnership with Yastika Bhatia of 59 runs for the third wicket. The prodigious opener was one her way to a second successive half-century before a mini-collapse saw the visitors lose five wickets for just 35 runs.

India were reeling at the score of 124-6 as the middle order faltered once again in the series. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur rose to the occasion with a commanding knock of 75 runs and was supported admirably by all-rounder Pooja Vastrakar, who notched up her third half-century in ODIs. The duo stitched up an invaluable 97-run stand for the seventh wicket that saw the Indian team finish with 255 runs on the board.

Here is how Twitter reacted to India women’s victory

What a great ODI series for India's new Full Time skipper Harmanpreet Kaur!

Won the Player of the Match in 3rd ODI ✅

Won the Player of the Series for her all round show throughout the ODI series ✅

Many more to come @ImHarmanpreet 🏆#SLvIND#SLWvINDW pic.twitter.com/tw0CP5nG0r

— Nilesh G (@oye_nilesh) July 7, 2022

Harmanpreet' s first full time captaincy, India washout SL in ODI and also take all wickets in 3 matches. Ind won the series by 3-0 😍😘 #SLWvINDW

— Captain Harmanpreet fan ☺ (@SpreadHarmanism) July 7, 2022

Harmanpreet Kaur stations herself as a widish first slip – the lone fielder in the cordon – for offspinner Deepti Sharma in the… 𝟐𝟖𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 of Sri Lanka's chase. Same combination being tried out in the 30th, too.#SLvIND | #SLWvINDW

— Annesha Ghosh (@ghosh_annesha) July 7, 2022

From RR of 5.73 at the end of 11 Overs to RR of 4.73 at the end of 15 overs, Athapaththu's wicket has dented SL's innings !! #SLWvINDW

— Mustafa Moudi (@Mustafamoudi) July 7, 2022

India won ODI series by 3-0

Player of the series Harmanpreet kaur#SLWvINDW #SLWvsINDW pic.twitter.com/zbkcJsqatj

— Somnath chakraborty ⚽🏏 (@somnath20094585) July 7, 2022

India thrash Sri Lanka in Women's ODI. India 255-9 and Sri Lanka 216 all out. India win by 39 Runs and win the series 3-0. Australia win test series in pakistan. Two weakest team and national of Asia.🇮🇳 #china #SLWvINDW #Cricket #PAKvSL #PakistanCricket

— Akash Rajput (@AkashRaaajput) July 7, 2022

What a knock @Vastrakarp25 👏🏻
What a fight back from #TeamIndia #SLWvINDW

— Vaishali Bhutda (@Iam_Vaishali) July 7, 2022

Clean Sweep by 🇮🇳
Sri Lanka tried their best but it was all around performance @BCCIWomen especially the all round batting skills and most of the bowlers chipped in and put the brakes on the Sri Lanka batters . #BCCIWomen #SLWvINDW

— Nooshin AL Khadeer (@NooshinKhadeer) July 7, 2022

Brilliant finish @Vastrakarp25 alongside top 75 from skipper @ImHarmanpreet. Wanted 250 and have got 5 extra! #SLWvINDW

— Reema Malhotra (@ReemaMalhotra8) July 7, 2022

🇮🇳🇱🇰 A SOLID START! Shafali missed out on a well-deserved 50 but she looked superb in full swing 🙌🏼

📸 Getty • #SLvIND #SLWvINDW #INDvsSL #INDvSL #TeamIndia #shafaliverma #BharatArmy pic.twitter.com/fuTAXi4iSO

— The Bharat Army (@thebharatarmy) July 7, 2022