New Delhi – The Indian women’s cricket side delivered a masterclass in the 2026 Women’s Asia Cup final, cruising to a 72‑run win over Sri Lanka and clinching their eighth title.
Batting first, India posted a solid 183 for 5 in the allotted 20 overs. Openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma built a towering 129‑run partnership, with Verma striking 68 off 39 balls and Mandhana contributing 59 off 39.
After the openers fell, the momentum slowed slightly. Richa Ghosh added 17, Harmanpreet Kaur 14, and Deepti Sharma chipped in five runs, while G. Kamalini remained unbeaten on 15. Sri Lankan bowlers Mithali Ayodhya, Chamari Athapaththu and Chamudi Praboda each claimed a wicket.
Sri Lanka’s Chase Crumbles Against Tight Indian Bowling
Facing a target of 184, Sri Lanka stumbled early when Kranti Gaud dismissed Imisha Dulani for just four runs. Captain Chamari Athapaththu and Vishmi Gunaratne steadied the innings with a 58‑run second‑wicket stand.
Deepti Sharma broke the partnership by removing Athapaththu for 36, and the Indian bowlers kept the pressure alive, picking wickets at regular intervals. Gunaratne managed 20, Harshitha Samarawickrama added nine, and Kavisha Dilhari contributed seven runs. Nilakshi de Silva scored 22, but it wasn’t enough.
Sri Lanka were eventually bundled out for 111 in their full 20 overs. Sri Charani shone with the ball, taking four wickets, while Deepti Sharma claimed three. Kranti Gaud, Shafali Verma and Prema Rawat each added a wicket.
India Caps an Unbeaten Campaign with Eighth Asia Cup Triumph
The victory reinforces India’s supremacy in the regional tournament. The women’s team now boasts eight Asia Cup crowns – four in the ODI era (2004, 2005, 2006, 2008) and four in the T20 format (2012, 2016, 2022, 2026). After runner‑up finishes in 2018 and 2024, the side bounced back emphatically in 2026 to reclaim the trophy.
