A record-breaking batting display and a clinical bowling performance delivered India the women’s cricket gold at the Asian Games 2026, as the defending champions overwhelmed Sri Lanka by 147 runs in the final at Korogi Sports Park today.
Key Takeaways
- India defeated Sri Lanka by 147 runs to retain the women’s cricket gold medal.
- Smriti Mandhana’s 79 and Richa Ghosh’s unbeaten 49 powered India to 216/3.
- India’s bowlers dismissed Sri Lanka for 69 to complete a dominant final victory.
India successfully defended their women’s cricket gold medal at the Asian Games after producing a dominant all-round performance against Sri Lanka in the final.
The Indian side first set a formidable target of 216/3. It then dismantled Sri Lanka’s chase and bowled them out for only 69. The 147-run victory secured India’s first gold medal of the ongoing Asian Games and their seventh medal overall.
India had won the women’s cricket gold at the previous edition of the Games. They now have another title after defeating the same Sri Lankan team in the final.
Mandhana Leads Record Batting Display
Smriti Mandhana set the platform for India with a superb 79 from 45 balls. She struck seven sixes and five fours during an aggressive innings.
Her performance also brought a major individual milestone. Mandhana became the first player in women’s cricket to complete 11,000 runs in international cricket.
Shafali Verma continued her excellent form after scoring her maiden white-ball century in the semifinal against Bangladesh. She made 48 from 29 deliveries in the final, hitting three fours and three sixes.
India then received a powerful late boost from Richa Ghosh. The wicketkeeper-batter remained unbeaten on 49 from just 22 balls. Bharti Fulmali added seven from seven deliveries as India finished on 216/3.
India Set Two Major Records
India’s total created a new record in women’s cricket at the Asian Games.
The 216/3 surpassed the previous highest score in the competition. Hong Kong women had earlier held the record with 202/4 against Mongolia during the 2023 Hangzhou Games.
India also established a new benchmark for the highest total in a women’s T20 final. Their score went beyond the previous mark of 210, which Brazil women recorded against Spain in a quadrangular series final in July this year.
The record-breaking total put Sri Lanka under enormous pressure before their innings even began.
Sri Lanka Collapse Under Pressure
India’s bowlers then delivered a strong performance to complete the job.
Deepti Sharma led the attack with three wickets. Shafali Verma and Sree Charani also made important contributions as Sri Lanka struggled to build a partnership.
Shafali provided India with the opening breakthroughs. She dismissed Imesha Dulani and Hasini Perera to put Sri Lanka on the back foot.
Deepti then produced one of the key moments of the innings. She dismissed Sri Lankan captain Chamari Athapaththu for 29 from 21 balls. Athapaththu was caught at long-off, further reducing Sri Lanka’s chances of chasing the huge target.
Sri Lanka continued to lose wickets at regular intervals. The batters attempted to attack despite the demanding target, but India’s bowling unit maintained control.
Deepti added two more wickets to her tally. Charani, the top-ranked T20I bowler, also claimed two wickets as the Sri Lankan innings rapidly lost momentum.
Shreyanka Completes India’s Victory
India finally completed the victory when Shreyanka Patil dismissed Kaushani Nuthyangana for 14.
Nuthyangana’s dismissal brought the Sri Lankan innings to an end at 69. India therefore secured a massive 147-run victory and retained the Asian Games women’s cricket gold medal.
The final combined a record-setting batting performance with a disciplined bowling display. Mandhana’s 79 provided the main foundation, while Ghosh’s unbeaten 49 added the finishing power.
India’s bowlers then ensured that Sri Lanka never came close to challenging the target.
Brief Scores
India 216/3: Smriti Mandhana 79 off 45 balls, Richa Ghosh 49* off 22 balls; Chamudi Praboda 1-34, Kavisha Dilhari 1-35.
Sri Lanka 69 all out: Chamari Athapaththu 29 off 21 balls, Kaushani Nuthyangana 14 off 14 balls; Deepti Sharma 3-6, Shafali Verma 2-3.
India won by 147 runs. (Edited by Enewstime Desk)