Smriti Mandhana Stars as India Crush Sri Lanka to Win Second Consecutive Women’s Cricket Gold at Asian Games 2026

India retained the women’s cricket gold medal at the Asian Games in emphatic fashion as Smriti Mandhana’s blistering 79 off 45 balls powered the defending champions to a crushing 147-run victory over Sri Lanka in the final at Korogi Athletic Park in Nisshin, Aichi, on Tuesday.

After winning the toss, India captain Harmanpreet Kaur elected to bat, and her decision was immediately rewarded as India’s top order produced one of the most dominant batting displays in Asian Games cricket history.

India posted 216-3 in 20 overs, setting a new record for the highest women’s total in Asian Games history. The innings featured 18 fours and 13 sixes, with Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Harmanpreet and Richa Ghosh all contributing to an imposing total. Sri Lanka, chasing 217 for gold, never came close to mounting a challenge. The island nation was bowled out for just 69 in 15.4 overs, leaving India with the gold medal and Sri Lanka with silver.

Mandhana was at the centre of India’s dominant performance, producing a spectacular innings that combined power and timing. The left-handed opener struck seven sixes and five fours during her 45-ball stay at the crease. She reached her half-century in the 10th over before continuing to attack Sri Lanka’s bowling attack.

Mandhana and Shafali Verma gave India a flying start, putting together 99 runs in the opening partnership.

Verma, who had smashed an unbeaten century in India’s semifinal victory over Bangladesh, was once again aggressive from the outset. She eventually fell for 48 from 29 balls after attempting a reverse sweep and top-edging the delivery towards point. Her dismissal did little to slow India down.

Harmanpreet Joins the Assault

With India already well placed, captain Harmanpreet Kaur joined Mandhana at the crease and continued the momentum. The pair added 42 runs before Harmanpreet was dismissed for 19, caught at long-off while attempting to accelerate the scoring rate.

Mandhana remained the dominant figure, targeting anything loose and repeatedly finding the boundary. She eventually fell in the 17th over with India on 163, having laid the foundation for a total beyond 200. The finishing duties then fell to Richa Ghosh and Bharti Fulmali.

Ghosh produced a remarkable late assault, smashing 49 from just 22 balls, including three sixes and six fours. Her innings ensured that India crossed the 200-run mark and finished with a record 216-3.

The final over produced another extraordinary burst, with Ghosh and Fulmali plundering 25 runs. Sri Lankan bowler Mithali Ayodhya struggled under the pressure, conceding eight wides during the over.

The target of 217 was always going to require an extraordinary batting effort from Sri Lanka, but India’s bowlers ensured there was little opportunity for a comeback. Captain Chamari Athapaththu, Sri Lanka’s leading batter, scored 29, but no other batter could provide a substantial contribution as the chase rapidly unravelled.

Sri Lanka were eventually dismissed for 69 in 15.4 overs, falling well short of the target.

The 147-run margin completed a comprehensive Indian victory and ensured that the women’s cricket team successfully defended the gold medal won at the previous Asian Games.

India Continue Their Asian Games Cricket Dominance

The triumph adds another major chapter to India’s growing record in women’s cricket at the Asian Games. India entered the final following an impressive campaign. Shafali Verma had been central to the semifinal victory over Bangladesh, becoming the first player in men’s or women’s cricket to score a century at the Asian Games.

That form carried into the final, where India’s top order once again demonstrated the depth and attacking intent that had characterised their campaign. Mandhana’s 79 provided the headline performance, but the victory was built around contributions throughout the batting order.

For Sri Lanka, the final ended in disappointment after reaching the gold-medal match, while India celebrated another Asian Games title.

Earlier in the day, Pakistan secured the women’s cricket bronze medal after defeating Bangladesh by 31 runs. Pakistan, struggling at 67-5 in the 12th over, were rescued by captain Fatima Sana, who smashed 45 from 30 balls, including three fours and three sixes.

Sana and Aliya Riaz put together a crucial 67-run partnership for the sixth wicket, helping Pakistan reach 145-8 from their 20 overs. Bangladesh could only manage 114-7 in reply, handing Pakistan the bronze medal.

But the day belonged to India, whose record-breaking batting performance and dominant bowling display delivered a second consecutive Asian Games women’s cricket gold — with Mandhana’s magnificent 79 at the heart of the triumph.