India has clinched its first gold medal at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026, with the women’s cricket team achieving a resounding victory over Sri Lanka by 147 runs. This triumph marks a successful title defence in the Twenty20 format, as reported by ARN News Centre.
In a rematch of the previous final, India opted to bat first at the Korogi Sports Park, amassing a formidable total of 216 runs for the loss of three wickets. The innings was highlighted by explosive performances from openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma, who set the tone with a 99-run partnership.
Mandhana scored an impressive 79 runs, becoming the first female cricketer to surpass 11,000 international runs, while Verma contributed 48 runs before being dismissed. Richa Ghosh added to the fireworks with a quickfire 49 runs off just 22 balls, propelling India well past the 200-run mark.
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur praised her team’s batting performance, noting the crucial partnerships that laid the foundation for their victory. She expressed optimism for future successes, stating that this gold medal opens the door for more achievements for India.
On the bowling front, India delivered a stellar performance, dismissing Sri Lanka for a mere 69 runs in under 16 overs. Verma made significant contributions with the ball, taking two wickets in consecutive overs, while off-spinner Deepti Sharma’s dismissal of Sri Lankan captain Chamari Athapaththu effectively sealed the match.
Sri Lanka’s hopes rested on Athapaththu, who managed 27 runs but could not withstand the pressure from India’s bowlers. The match concluded with Pakistan defeating Bangladesh by 31 runs to secure the bronze medal.
This victory not only highlights India’s dominance in women’s cricket but also sets a positive tone for the remainder of the Asian Games.
Follow our Sports news coverage for related developments.
