Shafali-Smriti fireworks, Charani’s magic hand India record 8th Women’s Asian crown
Quick results: India (183/5) beat Sri Lanka (111 all-out in 20 overs) by 72 runs to win the Women’s Asia Cup. (Shafali Verma 68, Smriti Mandhana 59; Shree Charani 4/20)
India showed exactly why they should have been crowned continental champions, producing a ruthless all-round performance to crush defending champions Sri Lanka by 72 runs to clinch a record eighth Women’s Asia Cup title.
It was another impressive performance for a team that has already established itself as the most successful team in the history of the tournament. India attacked the final with the bat, strangled Sri Lanka with spin and never allowed the defending champions a realistic opening to claw their way back into the contest.
IND vs SL, Women’s Asian Cup Final: Highlighting | Scorecard
LAUNCHING FIREWORKS
The platform for India’s dominance was built by Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana who put on a breathtaking opening partnership of 129 runs in just 12.5 overs.
Shafali was in no mood to advance to the finals. The 22-year-old immediately went after Athapaththa, smashing the Sri Lankan skipper for a six, another six and a four in her first over. Her strong fielding and driving set the tone as India raced to 57 for no loss in the Powerplay.
Shafali brought up her fifty from just 24 balls, the fastest half-century in the tournament. Mandhana initially played second fiddle, but once her younger partner reached the milestone, the vice-captain shifted gears herself.
Mandhana brought elegance to complement Shafali’s aggression. She swept Nilakshi Silva for a six, blasted Chamudi Praboda over long-on and produced a trademark inside-out against Athapaththu.
India reached 98 for no loss at the halfway stage and the final was already starting to tilt heavily in their favour.
SRI LANKA TAKE IT BACK
The opening stand finally ended when Shafali hit Praboda straight to Athapaththu, departing for a brilliant 68. Mandhana soon followed for 59, falling victim to another run-out after a mix-up with Harmanpreet Kaur.
These two wickets gave Sri Lanka a brief opening. India were 140 for two after 15 overs, but the Lankans managed to control the score towards the end of the innings.
The last five overs yielded just 43 runs, with Richa Ghosh falling for 17 just when she looked set to pick up the pace. Slinger Mithali Ayodya and the Sri Lankan bowlers deserve credit for finding better lines during the closing stages.
However, India has already done most of their work. A late cameo from Gunalan Kamalini, who smashed 15 off just five balls, helped them finish at 183 for five.
DEEPTI LAMU RESISTANCE
Sri Lanka needed a strong start to keep the chase alive and Athapaththu provided exactly that for a while.
The captain was their main hope and put together 58 runs with Vishmi Gunaratne for the second wicket. But the experienced Indian spin attack had other plans.
Deepti Sharma struck the first major blow in the 10th over. Athapaththu tried to charge the corkscrew, was beaten in flight and Richa Ghosh stumped him comfortably.
Three balls later, Gunaratne attempted a sweep, but it went round her legs.
Suddenly, Sri Lanka were 63 for three after 10 overs, with the required rate climbing above 12 an over. Their title run has effectively disappeared.
CHARANI WILL FINISH THE JOB
With Sri Lanka under pressure, Shree Charani took center stage.
The decisive spell of the final was produced by the left-arm spinner who finished with four wickets for 20 runs. She was relentless as India cornered the defending champions further and further.
Meanwhile, Deepti added two wickets as Sri Lanka’s lower order struggled to cope with the pressure and rising rate.
The defending champions were eventually bowled out for 111 in 20 overs. Even five dropped catches from India could not give Sri Lanka the impetus they needed.
COMPLETE PERFORMANCE
In the end, the final was a story of India dominating every crucial phase.
Shafali and Mandhana provided an explosive start. The middle order absorbed Sri Lanka’s fight and kept pushing India to a formidable total. After that, Charani and Deepti led a spin attack that ensured there was no dramatic comeback.
Sri Lanka arrived as the defending champions, but India ensured that the final would never be a repeat of their previous encounter.
They were rewarded with a 72-run victory, another dominant performance on the biggest stage and most importantly a record eighth Women’s Asia Cup title.
India are again the champions of Asia. And on a night when their batsmen provided the fireworks and their spinners supplied the choke, they looked every bit the part.
– The end
Issued by:
Amar Panicker
Published on:
13 Sep 2026 23:41 IST