India Women easily defeated SL W by 147 runs in the gold medal match of the Asian Games 2026 final, played in Nisshin on September 22. Thanks to this result, India has successfully defended the women’s cricket gold following their triumph in the 2023 Asian Games.
India had chosen to bat and their start was explosive through openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma. Sri Lanka was forced to bowl second in the powerplay as the opening pair added 99 runs at a rate of nearly eight per over. Mandhana attacked when necessary, blasting seven sixes to score 79 off a mere 45 balls. Shafali scored 48 off 29 balls before she perished trying another big shot.
Shafali’s wicket caused India to lose a bit of momentum but Richa Ghosh kept the run rate in check. At No. 4, Ghosh hammered just 22 balls for his unbeaten 49. With a late assault, she then propelled her side to 216 for 3 in the final which gave Sri Lanka a tough task.
After going on in the contest, Sri Lanka had to get off to a good start but India’s clever spin attack was soon controlling proceedings. Chamari Athapaththu chipped in with a battling 29 off 21 balls before others fell around her. Shafali got an immediate success with the ball as she picked two wickets conceding only 3 runs.
For Sri Lanka the runs dried up once again, as India went to spin more regularly. Deepti Sharma took out Athapaththu and had 3 for 6. The Sri Lankan batting order fell apart, with Shreyanka Patil and N Shree Charani both taking two wickets each.
Sri Lanka was finally all out for a mere 69, spinning all ten wickets. That total was just two runs more than India’s powerplay score, emphasising the chasm between the two sides on the day.
It was yet another glorious campaign for the India Women at the Asian Games as they completed the victory. Led by Mandhana, Shafali and Ghosh with the bat as well as a clinical performance from the spinners in their chase. Even with Sri Lanka reaching the title match, it also allowed India’s 147-run margin to establish an overwhelmingly one-sided final. With today’s win, India now has consecutive gold medals in women’s cricket at the Asian Games as it notches another big milestone after their recent success on the international stage.
