India vs Sri Lanka Asian Games Final: India Close to Women’s Cricket Gold
India posted 216 for 3 and reduced Sri Lanka to 63 for 8 in the Asian Games women’s cricket final, moving within touching distance of the gold medal.
India moved closer to the women’s cricket gold medal at the 2026 Asian Games after posting 216 for 3 against Sri Lanka and then reducing the hosts to 63 for 8 in 13.6 overs. With Sri Lanka chasing 217, India remained firmly in control of the final.
Smriti Mandhana led India’s batting effort with a crucial half-century, while Shafali Verma provided an explosive start in a 99-run opening partnership. Shafali fell for 48 off 29 balls, but Mandhana continued to build the innings before being dismissed for 79.
Harmanpreet Kaur added 15 before her dismissal, after which Richa Ghosh produced a powerful late assault. Ghosh’s hitting helped India score 53 runs in the final three overs, taking the total to 216 for 3, the highest score in the history of women’s cricket at the Asian Games.
Sri Lanka’s chase began with Chamari Athapaththu providing early momentum, but India quickly took control. Shafali Verma struck with the ball to remove Imesha Dulani before dismissing Hasini Perera, while Deepti Sharma claimed the crucial wicket of Athapaththu for 27.
India continued to pick up wickets at regular intervals, with Sree Charani and Shreyanka Patil also making important breakthroughs. Deepti then dismissed Kavisha Dilhari and Sugandika Kumari to take her tally to three wickets.
At 63 for 8 after 13.6 overs, Sri Lanka still needed 154 runs from 36 balls. India were just moments away from securing the Asian Games women’s cricket gold, while Sri Lanka faced an almost impossible chase.
