Dubai : India produced a dominant all-round performance to beat Sri Lanka and win a record-extending eighth Women’s Asia Cup title, completing an unbeaten campaign in the process.
In a rematch of the 2024 Final, which Sri Lanka won in Dambulla, India defended 183 with ease in their 10th consecutive Final appearance as openers Shafali Verma (68) and Smriti Mandhana (59) starred in the victory.
Shafali finished the tournament with three half-centuries and a total of 236 runs from five innings, with India captain Harmanpreet Kaur praising the hard-hitting right-hander for her efforts.
“I think Shafali had a great tournament and it’s good to see somebody like Shefali who is taking the responsibility and doing the job with bat and ball,” Harmanpreet said.
“I can’t ask anything else from her. It’s all about playing good cricket and I am very happy about that. We set some really high standards for us and we had to match them every day.”
After electing to bat, India raced out of the blocks through Mandhana and Shafali. The openers reached 57/0 in the Powerplay, with Verma striking four boundaries and two sixes.
Verma continued to attack and brought up a remarkable 24-ball fifty midway through the eighth over, the fastest fifty in Women’s T20 Asia Cup history. It was her 21st T20I fifty, her third of the tournament and her second in succession.
Mandhana joined the charge, bringing up her half-century from 35 balls as India reached 98/0 at the halfway stage. The pair soon brought up their sixth century stand together.
Sri Lanka finally broke through in the 13th over when 17-year-old Chamudi Praboda dismissed Verma, ending the opening stand at 130. Mandhana was then run out for 59 from 39 balls, her third run-out of the tournament.
Richa Ghosh and Harmanpreet Kaur tried to maintain the momentum, but India lost three wickets for seven runs late in the innings. G Kamalini ensured they finished strongly, hitting a six to take India to 183/5.
Sri Lanka’s chase began with Imesha Dulani hitting a clever boundary from the first ball, but Kranti Gaud struck later in the over to bowl her. Chamari Athapaththu and Vishmi Gunarathne then rebuilt the innings, with the pair adding 58 for the second wicket.
India’s spin attack then began to take control. Deepti Sharma first outfoxed Athapaththu, with Ghosh completing the stumping to remove the Sri Lankan captain just as she appeared ready to accelerate. Two balls later, she accounted for Gunarathne, leaving Sri Lanka 63/3 at the halfway stage.
Harshita Samarawickrama and Nilakshika Silva attempted to fight back, but Sree Charani ended the partnership with an excellent return catch, leaping to complete the dismissal. It was a significant moment for India, with Samarawickrama having been one of the key figures in Sri Lanka’s victory over them in the 2024 Final.
Charani returned in her next over and struck twice in three deliveries, removing Kavisha Dilhari and Silva to reduce Sri Lanka to 102/6.
Sri Lanka’s innings then started unravelling quickly, with Shafali Verma getting among the wickets with the scalp of Hasini Perera. Sugandika Kumari attempted to clear the infield but Nandni Sharma dived forward to complete an excellent catch, giving Charani her fourth wicket.
Prema Rawat then removed Mithali Ayodhya before Deepti Sharma fittingly completed the victory, deceiving Kaushini Nuthyangana in flight and bowling her to finish off Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka were bowled out for 111, handing India a comprehensive 72-run victory and their eighth Women’s Asia Cup title.
This was India’s 8th Asia Cup title, having won the crown in 2004 , 2005/6, 2006, 2008 (ODI formats) and 2012, 2016, 2022, 2026 (T20I formats), making them the most successful nation in Asia.
