India made a few notable changes to their playing XI for the fifth and final T20I against Sri Lanka in Thiruvananthapuram, with star opener Smriti Mandhana missing from the lineup. The move surprised many fans, but the reason behind her absence was purely tactical.

At the toss, India captain Harmanpreet Kaur confirmed that Smriti Mandhana and fast bowler Renuka Singh Thakur were rested for the final match of the series. With India already sealing the series 4–0, the team management opted to rotate the squad and give opportunities to other players.

Harmanpreet emphasized the importance of finishing the series strongly while also managing player workload. She shared that the team wanted to maintain the same momentum they had shown throughout the series and use this match to test bench strength.

One of the key highlights was the international debut of 17-year-old G Kamalini, who received her cap from Harmanpreet Kaur. Sneh Rana also returned to the side, replacing Renuka Singh Thakur, adding experience to the bowling unit.

India’s lineup featured Shafali Verma at the top of the order, Richa Ghosh as wicketkeeper, and a strong middle order led by Harmanpreet Kaur. Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bowl first, aiming to put India under early pressure.

Also Read: Harmanpreet Kaur Hails Mandhana and Shafali After India’s Dominant 4th T20I Win Over Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu said her team wanted to take confidence from their improved performance in the previous game. She highlighted the value of competing against a top side like India, stating that the series provided valuable learning opportunities for young players.

Both teams used the final T20I not just to compete, but to prepare for future challenges, making it an important match despite the series result already being decided.