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Eves hand India first gold of 2026 Games
In Short
India women retain title with cakewalk win over Sri Lanka
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Eves hand India first gold of 2026 Games
Nisshin (Japan): The Indian women’s cricket team reasserted its continental dominance by clinching a second successive gold medal at the Asian Games, thrashing familiar foes Sri Lanka by 147 runs in a lopsided final here on Tuesday. The Harmanpreet Kaur-led side’s gold was India’s first of the ongoing edition and was shaped by a brilliant batting performance that left Sri Lanka chasing a record target of 217.
Smriti Mandhana was regal as ever in her 79 off 45 before Richa Ghosh (48 off 22) came up with a brutal assault in the death overs to fire India to 216 for three, the highest total in Asian Games history.
Once India scaled that record total, the result was a foregone conclusion. “Before the tournament, we talked about staying unbeaten...playing to the high standards we set for ourselves. It’s so satisfying to see everyone approach every game with such a positive mindset,” Harmanpreet told the official broadcaster after the match.
“Overall, the balance between experience and fresh talent was spot on, and everyone delivered when it mattered,” she added. All Sri Lankan hopes were pinned on skipper Chamari Athapaththu (29 off 21) but she alone could not take the fight to the Indians. Sri Lanka capitulated to 69 all out in 15.4 overs as Indian spinners ran through the opposition. Shafali Verma (48 and 2/3) produced an all-round performance while Deepti Sharma (3/6) and Shree Charani (2) chipped in with wickets as usual in a final devoid of a contest.
India were overwhelming favourites for the title and they certainly lived up to expectations with three dominant wins over the course of the competition. Just like the Asia Cup earlier this month, Sri Lanka were at the receiving end in the final, unable to compete with their familiar rivals. Pakistan won the bronze with a comfortable 31-run win over Bangladesh earlier in the day. With script going as planned for the Indian women’s team, the men would also be expected to defend their title.
Brief Scores:
India 216 for 3 in 20 overs (Smriti Mandhana 79, Richa Ghosh 49 not out, Shafali Verma 48; Chamudi Praboda 1/34.) beat Sri Lanka 69 all out in 15.4 overs (Chamari Athapaththu 29; Deepti Sharma 3/6) by 147 runs.
