Women's cricket team extends dominance, gives India first gold of 2026 Asian Games
The Indian women's cricket team reaffirmed its dominance in Asian cricket, defending its Asian Games title with a crushing 147-run win over Sri Lanka in the final here on Tuesday to give India its first gold medal of the 2026 edition.
Led by Harmanpreet Kaur, India posted a record 216 for three after being put in to bat, setting Sri Lanka a daunting target of 217.
Smriti Mandhana led the charge with a sparkling 79 off 45 balls before Richa Ghosh produced a late assault, scoring 48 off 22, to take India to the highest total in Asian Games history.
The target proved far beyond Sri Lanka, who were bowled out for 69 in 15.4 overs as India's spinners dismantled their batting line-up.
Shafali Verma contributed an all-round performance with 48 runs and two wickets, while Deepti Sharma took three for six and Shree Charani chipped in with two wickets.
"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.
India had entered the tournament as overwhelming favourites and produced three dominant victories on their way to the title. Sri Lanka, who had also lost to India in the Asia Cup final earlier this month, again found themselves unable to match their rivals.
Pakistan claimed the bronze medal with a 31-run victory over Bangladesh earlier in the day.
India's men will now look to defend their Asian Games title.
Mandhana, Shafali set the platform
After winning the toss, India made full use of the powerplay as Mandhana and Shafali raced to 59 without loss in six overs.
The openers, who had been in excellent form since the Asia Cup, put on 99 runs from 60 balls and immediately put Sri Lanka under pressure.
Mandhana was particularly severe on the spinners. She hit Sugandika Kumari for consecutive sixes in the third over, first driving one straight off the back foot before launching a slog sweep.
Mithali Ayodhya's next over yielded another six from Mandhana, who sent the ball elegantly over extra cover.
Athapaththu brought herself into the attack in the fifth over but conceded 19 runs, including three sixes. Shafali pulled a long hop over the boundary before sending the next delivery over mid-off, while Mandhana later stepped out to hit the Sri Lankan off-spinner straight down the ground.
Mandhana finished with seven sixes.
Shafali, approaching another half-century, was dismissed for 48 when she attempted a reverse sweep against left-arm spinner Chamudi Praboda and mistimed the shot.
Harmanpreet came in at No. 3 but made 19 off 17 balls before being caught at long-off in the 15th over, continuing a difficult run since the Asia Cup.
Mandhana, meanwhile, looked set for a century before she was caught in the deep off Kumari while attempting another slog sweep.
Richa then took charge in the final overs, hitting three sixes and seven fours in her unbeaten 48 off 22 balls to take India beyond 200 and establish a record total.
Sri Lanka's chase never gathered momentum. Athapaththu top-scored with 29 off 21 but lacked support as India's bowlers ran through the batting order, completing a comprehensive victory and India's first gold of the Games.
