IND vs SL: Why Is Smriti Mandhana Not Playing India’s 5th T20I Against Sri Lanka?
Smriti Mandhana’s Absence Raises Questions
The fifth and final T20I between India Women and Sri Lanka Women grabbed attention even before the first ball was bowled, as star opener Smriti Mandhana was missing from India’s playing XI. Fans were surprised because Mandhana had been a key performer throughout the series and was coming off a sensational knock in the fourth T20I. Naturally, questions started circulating about whether her absence was due to injury, form, or something more serious.
However, the Indian team management quickly put all speculations to rest.
Official Reason: Rested for Workload Management
At the toss, India captain Harmanpreet Kaur clearly stated that Smriti Mandhana has been rested for the fifth T20I. Along with Mandhana, fast bowler Renuka Singh Thakur was also rested. This decision was taken as part of workload management and squad rotation, especially since India had already sealed the five-match series with a dominant 4–0 lead.
With the match being a dead rubber, the management felt it was the right time to protect senior players from unnecessary fatigue and give opportunities to youngsters waiting on the bench.
No Injury or Form Issues
It is important to note that Smriti Mandhana is not injured and there are no concerns regarding her form. In fact, she was in excellent touch during the series and played a match-winning innings in the fourth T20I. During that knock, she also achieved the remarkable milestone of becoming the fastest woman to reach 10,000 international runs.
Although some reports mentioned that she felt slight discomfort towards the end of her innings in the previous match, it was nothing serious. The team management preferred not to take any risk in a match that would not affect the series outcome.
Focus on Future Tournaments
Another major reason behind resting Smriti Mandhana is India’s packed cricketing calendar ahead. Big tournaments like the Women’s Premier League (WPL) and the Women’s T20 World Cup are on the horizon. Mandhana is a crucial player for both India and her WPL franchise, Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Managing her workload now ensures she remains fresh, fit, and fully prepared for high-pressure tournaments where her experience and batting prowess will be vital for the team’s success.
Opportunity for Young Talent
Mandhana’s absence opened the door for G Kamalini, who made her T20I debut in the fifth match. Kamalini impressed selectors with her performances at the junior level, including the ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup. A low-pressure game like this gave the team management the perfect opportunity to test her skills at the international level.
Additionally, Sneh Rana returned to the playing XI, allowing India to experiment with combinations and strengthen bench depth — something that becomes extremely important during long tournaments.
Strategic Move, Not a Setback
From a team perspective, resting Smriti Mandhana was a strategic and forward-looking decision. With the series already in the bag, India chose long-term planning over short-term gains. Such rotation policies are common in modern cricket, especially for players who are regular across formats and tournaments.
For fans, there is no cause for concern. Mandhana remains a key pillar of Indian women’s cricket and is expected to return fully fit and firing in upcoming assignments.
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