SL-W vs IND-W | Twitter applauds as diving Piumi Wathsala makes amends for earlier miss

05/11/2025

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Dropped catches tend to put fielders on the defensive and Sri Lanka’s Piumi Wathsala found herself in the firing line dropping a straightforward chance from Indian opener Smriti Mandhana. But she managed to complete a diving catch off Pratika Rawal, four overs later, to compensate the earlier miss.

Piuimi Wathsala while batting in a game in Sri Lankan domestic cricket.

‌India, looking to avenge their defeat against Sri Lanka in the group stage, opted to bat in the final of the ODI Tri-Series 2025 after winning the toss at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. The openers Pratika Rawal and Smriti Mandhana got off to a cautious start with the wicket being slow and supporting the slow bowlers before opening up to reach 68/0 at the end of the 14th over.

However, both had their fair share of fortune during their opening partnership with Rawal being dropped off a tough chance as early as the first over. Mandhana, meanwhile, was put down by Piumi Wathsala when she was on 21in left-arm spinner Inoka Ranaweera’s first over.

On the third ball off the 11th over, Ranaweera bowled a flighted delivery outside off-stump to make Mandhana drive away from her body resulting in an uppish shot. Wathsala, fielding at mid-off donned the goalkeeper’s gloves for a moment, pushing up an easy chance that resembled a goalie’s save in football.

However, Wathsala soon rectified her mistake four overs later as she came up with a diving effort to send back Pratika in the 15th over. Ranaweera, the bowler again on this instance, flighted one up on middle and leg to the right-handed batter and the opener, in an attempt to flick, chipped it softly to mid-on. The alert Wathsala ran forward in anticipation and completed the catch with a forward dive.

Twitterati jumped in to praise Wathsala’s effort as she signalled more relief than happiness after completing a top effort.

DROPPED

if you observe cutiepie

Mandhana only performs in unwanted matches and chockes in important stages already dropped a catch of this cutiepie by lanka how long she will survive let's wait and watch
— Rcb (@apppuuu03)

Fifty!

5⃣0⃣ for Smriti Mandhana! 👏👏
— Women's CricInsight (@WCI_Official)

Back to back!

BACK-TO-BACK FIFTIES!

The unstoppable Smriti Mandhana strikes again! Another classy 5️⃣0️⃣ as she continues her red-hot form. Sri Lanka, bow down.
— The sports (@the_sports_x)

Not bad!

Smriti Mandhana in the last 5 finals she has played for India

51*

0

46

60

55* & counting

But some people will keep crying

By far India's best batter
— Mohit Shah (@mohit_shah17)

What a player!

Smriti Mandhana has a 50 in a final again v Sri Lanka

She has now delivered in each of the last 3 finals she has played for India
— Mohit Shah (@mohit_shah17)

Final!

FINAL | 🇮🇳 vs 🇱🇰

Our Skip & India’s Vice Captain gets her FIFTY!

Smriti Mandhana — 50*(55) 🔥

Bold & graceful, as always 🖤❤️
— Women's Bold Brigade (@wboldbrigade)

Nice