India Women eye cricket gold as Sri Lanka threat looms in Asian Games finals
India Women are one win away from defending cricket gold at the Asian Games, but standing between them and another title is a familiar opponent. Sri Lanka face off in the women’s final on Tuesday, setting up another highly-anticipated clash between two teams who regularly meet for major trophies.
India have been clinical in their Asian Games campaign so far, seeing off Japan before producing an even more emphatic performance against Bangladesh in the semi-finals. Sri Lanka also remained unbeaten, seeing off Malaysia in their opening match before skimming Pakistan 177 in a high-scoring semi-final. Both sides have brought strong momentum into the title race, but the final will be the toughest test of their campaigns.
The latest encounter adds another chapter to an increasingly famous rivalry. In the last three years, India and Sri Lanka have met three times in the finals of the Asian Games and Women’s Asia Cup tournaments. Now the two sides meet again, with Asian Games gold at stake.
SHAFALI, CHARANI SET THE TONE FOR INDIA
Shafali Verma scored her maiden T20I century against Bangladesh. Courtesy: BCCI Women
India began their gold medal defense with an eight-wicket win over hosts Japan. Their bowlers bowled Japan out for just 57, with left-armer Shree Charani returning impressive figures of 4/10. Shafali Verma then completed the chase in explosive fashion, smashing an unbeaten 40 off just 15 balls. She also started with 2/13.
The semi-final against Bangladesh was even more emphatic. Shafali became the first cricketer to score a century in the history of the Asian Gameshe hit an unbeaten 100 off 49 balls, including nine sixes and three fours. Smriti Mandhana made 37 off 19 balls and Harmanpreet Kaur scored 40 off 33 as India posted 195/4.
Bangladesh were then bowled out for 81, giving India a 114-run win. Nandani Sharma and Deepti Sharma claimed three wickets each as Charani continued to emphasize her importance to the Indian attack.
Shafali leads India’s run-scoring charts with 140 runs from two innings, while Charani has taken six wickets. Deepti also claimed four wickets and provides India with an experienced spin option heading into the final.
SRI LANKA FIND YOUR SPARKLE THROUGH YOUR CAPTAIN
Chamari Athapaththu will be crucial for Sri Lanka in the final. Courtesy: ACC
Sri Lanka started their campaign with an 86-run victory over Malaysia. Captain Chamari Athapaththu led from the front with 63 off 37 balls while Kavisha Dilhari played an unbeaten 44 as Sri Lanka posted 160/4. Malaysia were restricted to 74/7 with Athapaththu, Dilhari and Mithali Ayodhya taking two wickets apiece.
The semi-final against Pakistan offered a significantly greater challenge. Pakistan posted 177/4 with Ayesha Zafar making 71 and Shawaal Zulfiqar adding 54. However, Sri Lanka responded with a steady chase to reach 178/2 in 17.5 overs.
Athapaththu was once again at the center of the chase, smashing an unbeaten 83 off 50 balls. Hasini Perera provided strong support with 42 off 26 and the pair shared a 95-run partnership to take Sri Lanka to the final.
Athapaththu scored 146 runs in the two matches, making her Sri Lanka’s leading batsman in the tournament. She also took six wickets, underscoring her all-round influence. Hasini, Dilhari and Harshitha Samarawickrama provide additional batting options around their skipper.
ANOTHER FINAL, ANOTHER INDIA-SRI LANKA CHAPTER
India and Sri Lanka recently clashed in the final of the Women’s Asia Cup. Courtesy: ACC
The teams’ recent finals history dates back to the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou. India beat Sri Lanka by 19 runs in the gold match with Smriti Mandhana scoring 46, Jemimah Rodrigues 42 and Titas Sadhu 3/6 as India defended 116.
Sri Lanka turned the tide in the 2024 Women’s Asia Cup final. Athapaththu scored 61 and Harshitha Samarawickrama remained unbeaten on 69 as Sri Lanka chased down India’s 165/6 to win their first Women’s Asia Cup.
India responded in the 2026 Women’s Asia Cup final, beating Sri Lanka by 72 runs. Shafali Verma scored 68 and Mandhana 59 before the Indian bowlers bowled out Sri Lanka for 111, securing India’s eighth Women’s Asia Cup title.
The Asian Games final now offers another meeting between the two sides. India will be looking to retain the gold they won in Hangzhou, while Sri Lanka will be looking to build on their strong run through the tournament. With Shafali and Athapaththu leading the batting attack, two unbeaten teams with plenty of recent history will meet in the final.
When to watch India vs Sri Lanka Women’s Cricket Final at Asian Games 2026
The Women’s Cricket Final between India and Sri Lanka will start at 10:30 AM IST and 2:00 PM Local Time.
Where to watch India vs Sri Lanka women’s cricket final at Asian Games 2026
Sony Sports Network has the broadcasting rights for the Asian games. Live streaming of the match will be available on Sony LIV.
Head-to-Head
Matches – 32, India – 26, Sri Lanka – 5, N/R – 1
Predicted XI for India vs Bangladesh
India: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Gunalan Kamalini, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Richa Ghosh (wk), Bharti Fulmali, Deepti Sharma, Shreyanka Patil, Shree Charani, Nandani Sharma, Kranti Gaud
Sri Lanka: Imesha Dulani, Chamari Athapaththu (c), Hasini Perera, Kavisha Dilhari, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Hansima Karunaratne, Kaushani Nuthyangana (wk), Mithali Ayodhya, Kawya Kavindi, Chamudi Praboda, Sugandika Kumari
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Issued by:
sabyasachi chowdhury
Published on:
21 Sep 2026 20:00 IST