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Summary:

The Indian women’s cricket team is hosting Sri Lanka for a 5-match T20 series, which began today in Visakhapatnam. India won the toss and chose to bowl. A significant moment was the T20I debut of 20-year-old left-arm spinner Vaishnavi Sharma, who received her debut cap from captain Harmanpreet Kaur. Vaishnavi was a member of the victorious Indian U-19 team at the Women’s T20 World Cup earlier this year and was a high wicket taker. Her domestic performance has also been remarkable. Both teams’ playing elevens are listed.

News Article:

Vaishnavi Sharma Debuts as India Women Take on Sri Lanka in T20 Series Opener

Visakhapatnam, [Date of Article – Today’s Date] – India Women commenced their 5-match T20 series against Sri Lanka today at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, with captain Harmanpreet Kaur winning the toss and electing to bowl first. The match marked a special occasion for 20-year-old left-arm spinner Vaishnavi Sharma, who made her T20 International debut for India.

Sharma received her debut cap from Captain Kaur in a heartwarming moment before the start of play. The young spinner was a key member of the Indian Under-19 team that clinched the Women’s T20 World Cup title earlier this year. Her inclusion in the senior squad follows impressive performances both domestically and in the U-19 World Cup, where she was a leading wicket-taker. She impressed with 21 wickets in the Senior Women’s T20 Trophy and also with 12 wickets in 5 matches in the Senior Women Inter-Zonal T20 tournament.

While Vaishnavi was not sold in the auction for WPL her debut showed the importance of domestic success.

The Sri Lankan team, led by Chamari Athapaththu, includes Hasini Perera, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Vishmi Gunaratne, Nilakshika Silva, Kaushini Nuthyangana (wk), Kavisha Dilhari, Malki Madara, Inoka Ranaweera, Kavya Kavindi, and Shashini Gimhani.

India’s playing XI features Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Amanjot Kaur, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gaur, Vaishnavi Sharma, and N. Shree Charani.

All eyes will be on key players like Smriti Mandhana as India looks to gain an early advantage in the series.

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