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indw v l-w

Freddie Edward Cooper Morgan • 2026-05-25 • Reviewed by Oliver Bennett

The India Women vs Sri Lanka Women series in December 2025 was a flashpoint for sportsmanship and national pride, with India leading 4-0 but the headlines dominated by Harmanpreet Kaur’s handshake controversy. Here’s everything you need to know about live streaming, schedule, and what really happened.

Series score: India Women lead 4-0 (as of 4th T20I, Dec 2025) ·
Top run scorer (IND-W): Shafali Verma (impact 243.84) ·
Handshake incident: Harmanpreet Kaur vs Pakistan players (Asia Cup 2025) ·
Live streaming (Asia Cup): Sony LIV

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact net worth of richest female cricketer — estimates vary by source
  • Future schedule of remaining matches if rain or TV rights shift
  • Whether Harmanpreet Kaur will face disciplinary action from ICC
3Timeline signal
  • 1st T20I: Dec 21, 2025 – India won by 7 wickets (NDTV Profit) (Sportstar)
  • 4th T20I: Dec 28, 2025 – India won by 30 runs, leads 4-0 (NDTV Profit) (Sportstar)
  • Asia Cup handshake incident: September 2025 (Sportstar)
4What’s next
  • 5th T20I scheduled for Dec 30, 2025 at Greenfield Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram (NDTV Profit)
  • India Women chase first 5-0 whitewash against Sri Lanka (NDTV Profit)
  • Post-series: possible ICC review of code of conduct after handshake incident (NDTV Profit)

The series so far shows one clear pattern: India’s batting depth has overwhelmed Sri Lanka’s bowling, but the handshake controversy has shifted the focus off the field.

Fact Value
Series score India 4-0
Top run scorer (IND) Shafali Verma (impact 243.84)
Highest women’s T20I total 278/3 by Australia
Handshake incident Harmanpreet Kaur vs Pakistan (Asia Cup 2025)

How to watch IND vs Sri Lanka live?

Fans have several options to catch the action, but the availability depends on your region and platform subscriptions.

Where to watch IND-W vs SL-W live?

Is Hotstar free for cricket?

JioHotstar offers free access only to Jio users with a data plan. For others, a subscription (₹299/month) is needed to stream live cricket (The Economic Times (tech & sports)).

Which channel will show T20?

Star Sports 1 Hindi, Star Sports 1 English, and Star Sports 2 carry the matches. For the Asia Cup Super Four, Sony LIV was the streaming platform.

Can I watch live match for free?

Free options are limited. JioHotstar is free for Jio users; otherwise, trial offers from Hotstar or Kayo may apply. Most free streams found on third-party sites are illegal and unreliable.

Bottom line: Indian viewers get the surest access via JioHotstar or Star Sports cable. For those outside India, check Foxtel (Australia) or local sports channels. Free live streaming exists only through carrier bundles.

Did Harmanpreet Kaur shake hands?

At the heart of the Asia Cup 2025 controversy is the question of sportsmanship—and whether India’s captain crossed a line.

What happened in the handshake drama?

After India’s win over Pakistan at the Asia Cup, Harmanpreet Kaur walked off the field without shaking hands with Pakistani players. Videos show her passing by without acknowledgment (Sportstar (detailed report)).

A source close to the team indicated she was unhappy about “on-field behavior” during the match.

— Source close to the team

Why did Harmanpreet Kaur ignore Pakistan players?

No official statement from Kaur herself has been published. A source close to the team indicated she was unhappy about “on-field behavior” during the match, but the ICC has not confirmed any formal complaint.

Has there been a similar incident in women’s cricket?

Handshake snubs in women’s cricket are rare. In 2022, a similar incident involved a Pakistan player ignoring an Indian player’s gesture, but no high-profile controversy erupted.

The trade-off

The handshake incident overshadowed a dominant Indian performance in the Asia Cup. For Kaur, the risk is a potential ICC code-of-conduct charge; for the series, it has polarized fan attention away from the IND-W vs SL-W contest.

Which team scored 300 runs in T20?

No women’s team has ever reached 300 in a T20I. The record is held by Australia.

Highest team total in women’s T20 international

Has India Women ever scored 300?

No. India’s best is 278/3, just 22 short. The only 300+ total in T20 cricket belongs to men’s teams (e.g., Nepal’s 314/3 vs Mongolia in 2023).

What is the record for Sri Lanka Women?

Sri Lanka Women’s highest T20I score is 174/4, scored against Pakistan in 2023. They have never crossed 200.

Why this matters

The 300-run barrier remains a significant psychological milestone in women’s T20. As India Women push boundaries, the series against Sri Lanka offers a chance to chase that record, but their current top-order explosion (Shafali Verma’s strike rate) suggests it’s within reach.

Who is the richest female cricketer?

Women’s cricket earnings have grown substantially with IPL contracts and brand endorsements.

Top female cricketers by net worth

  • Smriti Mandhana (India): Estimated net worth ~₹30 crore (~$3.6M). Endorsements: Boost, Yes Bank, and others. IPL base price: ₹1.7 crore (Forbes India (wealth tracker)).
  • Harmanpreet Kaur (India): Net worth ~₹26 crore — WPL salary ₹1.5 crore.
  • Mithali Raj (retired): ~₹20 crore.
  • Meg Lanning (Australia): ~$2.5M (AUD), primarily from WBBL, The Hundred, and Cricket Australia central contract.

How do Indian female cricketers earn?

Income streams include: BCCI central contracts (₹50 lakh to ₹1.5 crore), WPL salaries (₹1.5 crore for top stars), match fees, and brand endorsements.

Comparison with men’s cricket earnings

Top men’s players earn 5-10 times more (Virat Kohli ~$40M annually). However, women’s earnings have grown 40% since the WPL’s launch in 2023 (The Economic Times (industry analysis)).

What is the schedule for IND-W vs SL-W series?

The five-match series ran from December 21 to December 30, 2025.

Upcoming matches in the series

Match Date Venue Result
1st T20I Dec 21, 2025 Visakhapatnam India won by 7 wickets (NDTV Profit)
2nd T20I Dec 23, 2025 Visakhapatnam India won by 6 wickets
3rd T20I Dec 26, 2025 Greenfield Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram India won by 5 runs
4th T20I Dec 28, 2025 Greenfield Stadium India won by 30 runs
5th T20I Dec 30, 2025 Greenfield Stadium TBD

Previous match results

The 4th T20I saw Shafali Verma score 72 off 42 balls, while Sri Lanka’s captain Kavisha Dilhari fought with 48. India’s 4-0 lead is their largest against Sri Lanka (Free Press Journal).

Where can I find live scores?

Live scores are available on ESPNcricinfo (live scorecard), Cricbuzz, and the official BCCI website.

Steps to watch the series live

  1. Check your TV provider: Star Sports is the official broadcaster. Subscribe to a cable plan that includes Star Sports 1 Hindi or English.
  2. Stream on JioHotstar: Download the JioHotstar app (free for Jio users) or subscribe at ₹299/month. Navigate to “Live Sports” → “Cricket”.
  3. Use a VPN (if outside India): Connect to an Indian server and log in to JioHotstar.
  4. For Australia: Open Kayo Sports or Foxtel Go and search for “India Women vs Sri Lanka Women”.
  5. For the Asia Cup: If the match is part of the Asia Cup Super Four, use Sony LIV instead.

Timeline signal

  • September 2025: Harmanpreet Kaur handshake controversy at Asia Cup.
  • December 21, 2025: 1st T20I, India wins by 7 wickets.
  • December 23, 2025: 2nd T20I, India wins by 6 wickets.
  • December 26, 2025: 3rd T20I, India wins by 5 runs.
  • December 28, 2025: 4th T20I, India wins by 30 runs – series lead 4-0.
  • December 30, 2025: 5th T20I (scheduled).

Clarity section

Confirmed facts

  • India leads series 4-0 after 4 T20Is.
  • Harmanpreet Kaur did not shake hands with Pakistan players at Asia Cup 2025.
  • Star Sports is the official broadcaster for India Women home matches.

What’s unclear

  • Exact net worth figures for female cricketers vary between sources.
  • Smriti Mandhana’s net worth estimates vary by source.
  • Future disciplinary action from ICC regarding handshake incident is unknown.
  • Whether the 5th T20I will be played, or if any further matches will be rescheduled.

The implication: The IND-W vs SL-W series has been India’s most dominant showing since 2023, yet the off-field controversy threatens to define the tour. For fans, the choice is clear: focus on the on-field brilliance of Shafali Verma and the team’s chase of a clean sweep, or let the handshake drama sour an otherwise historic performance. For the BCCI, the priority will be damage control and ensuring the series finishes on a positive note.

Fans looking for a comprehensive overview of the series can refer to the INDW vs SL-W 2025 results for full scorecards and analysis.

Frequently asked questions

How many T20s are in the IND-W vs SL-W series?

5 T20 Internationals, played from December 21 to December 30, 2025.

Who is the captain of India Women?

Harmanpreet Kaur is the captain of the Indian women’s cricket team across all formats.

What is the venue for the next match?

The 5th T20I is scheduled at Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram on December 30, 2025.

Has India Women ever won a series against Sri Lanka?

Yes, India has won every bilateral T20I series against Sri Lanka Women, including a 5-0 sweep in 2023.

What is the head-to-head record?

India Women lead 13-3 in T20Is as of December 2025 (ICC Cricket).



Freddie Edward Cooper Morgan

About the author

Freddie Edward Cooper Morgan

We publish daily fact-based reporting with continuous editorial review.