NEW DELHI: India skipper Harmanpreet Kaur on Tuesday admitted that the transition from ODIs to T20Is was challenging, but said the emphatic 5-0 series sweep against Sri Lanka has given the team a timely boost ahead of next year’s T20 World Cup.

The five-match T20I series marked India’s first assignment after lifting the 50-over World Cup in November, and the hosts dominated throughout, blanking Sri Lanka to underline their strength across white-ball formats.

“2025 has been great for us. All the hard work we have done, this year we have got the credit. Now, it’s about repeating these habits. Going forward, we want to look at this series and think of what we can do ahead,” Harmanpreet said during the post-match presentation.

Sri Lanka did push India at different phases of the contest, but the hosts held their nerve to seal a 15-run win in the fifth T20I on Tuesday and cap off an outstanding series.

“Shifting to T20 from ODI wasn't easy but everyone was excited to play. We fought for this and were happy how all things came together. Next is WPL which is important for all of us.

“Hopefully, we play our best cricket and enjoy ourselves. Next six months are important, we want to keep working hard and raising the bar,” she added.

The 36-year-old said the focus within the dressing room was on improving strike rates and pushing individual standards higher.

“All of us have played a lot of T20 cricket together. It was about believing we can do that. Sir (head coach Amol Muzumdar) spoke about strike rates and lifting the standards. Everyone was happy and we wanted to set that standard,” she said.

Player of the Series Shafali Verma, who smashed three consecutive fifties, said consistent work behind the scenes has paid dividends.

“My work throughout the year has paid off. I will ensure that I don't make the mistake I did today (getting out for 5). I will work harder and come back the next time.”

The opener added that the shortest format suits her style the most. “Both are different games. In ODI you have to play along the ground. T20 is my favourite, day by day I am improving and I will become a better player for the team,” she noted.

Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu conceded that her side fell short of their best across the series.

“We are not playing our best cricket. We have to improve our power-hitting and batting. Some youngsters played well in the middle. We are looking forward to playing our best cricket in the next few months.”

“We played good cricket 6-7 months ago. Our coach asked us to play freely. Some of the batters executed the right plans in the middle. We gave India a fight but unfortunately we lost” said Athapaththu.

Athapaththu admitted that the team has plenty to reflect on ahead of the next T20 World Cup.

“A few seniors are here with me, they are playing well but we aren't playing our best cricket as seniors. Some youngsters have taken their opportunities. We have to think a lot before the T20 World Cup,” she added.

(With PTI Inputs)