IBNS-CMEDIA: Harmanpreet Kaur-led India defeated Sri Lanka by 147 runs to clinch the gold medal at the ongoing Asian Games, successfully defending their title and continuing their dominance in women’s cricket.
Riding on Smriti Mandhana’s blistering 79 off 45 deliveries, along with valuable contributions from Shafali Verma and Richa Ghosh, India posted a formidable 216/3 in their allotted 20 overs before bowling Sri Lanka out for just 69.
Chamari Athapaththu, who scored 29 off 21 deliveries, emerged as Sri Lanka’s top scorer, but the rest of the batting lineup struggled against India’s disciplined bowling attack.
The Indian spinners ran through the Sri Lankan batting order, dismantling their resistance in a one-sided gold-medal contest.
𝗠𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 🏅🇮🇳#TeamIndia wear the prestigious #AsianGames 2026 Gold Medal 🤩 pic.twitter.com/GiDvdvNah5
— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) September 22, 2026
Verma smashed 48 before being dismissed by Chamudi Praboda, falling just two runs short of her half-century. However, her dismissal did little to slow India’s momentum, with Mandhana continuing to anchor the innings.
After Harmanpreet Kaur was dismissed, Richa Ghosh joined Mandhana at the crease and launched a spectacular assault on the Sri Lankan bowling attack.
Ghosh remained unbeaten on 49, smashing six boundaries and three sixes as her aggressive knock helped India surge past the 200-run mark.
Chasing 217 for victory, Sri Lanka never looked comfortable and lost wickets at regular intervals.
India’s bowlers maintained relentless pressure, with Sharma claiming three wickets, while Verma, Sree Charani and Patil picked up two wickets each.
Sri Lanka were eventually bowled out for 69, handing India a comprehensive 147-run victory and another Asian Games gold medal.
Pakistan secured the bronze medal after defeating Bangladesh in the third-place playoff.
