Asian Games 2026: Women’s Cricket Team Wins India’s First Gold

Nagoya: The Indian women’s cricket team retained their Asian Games title in dominant fashion on Tuesday, thrashing Sri Lanka by 147 runs in the gold medal final at Kōrogi Sports Park. The emphatic victory earned India their first gold medal of the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Games and extended their reign over continental cricket following their triumph at Hangzhou in 2023.

​After winning the toss and electing to bat, India launched an unrelenting attack, amassing 216 for 3 in their 20 overs—the highest team total ever recorded in Asian Games women's cricket history. Smriti Mandhana spearheaded the onslaught with a scintillating 79 off 45 deliveries, studded with five fours and seven sixes. Mandhana set the stage alongside fellow opener Shafali Verma, who blazed 48 off 29 balls in a punishing 99-run opening stand. India powered through the powerplay at 67 without loss before Mandhana reached her half-century from 31 balls in the tenth over, crossing 11,000 international runs in the process. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur chipped in with a brisk 19 before wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh provided the late fireworks, blasting an unbeaten 49 off just 22 balls to lift India beyond the 200-run barrier.

​Faced with a mountainous target of 217, Sri Lanka never mounted a serious challenge and folded under relentless pressure. Deepti Sharma took command early, removing Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu (29 off 21) on her way to figures of 3 for 6 in four overs. With the middle order neutralized, Sri Lanka crumbled to 52 for 7 before the innings was cleaned up for 69 in 15.4 overs. Shree Charani claimed 2 for 13, and off-spinner Shreyanka Patil took 2 for 9, wrapping up the contest by disturbing the stumps of Kaushani Nuthyangana to spark Indian celebrations.

​Sri Lanka settled for silver after securing a place in the title decider with a semifinal upset over Pakistan. Earlier in the day at the same venue, Pakistan claimed the bronze medal, defending 145 to defeat Bangladesh by 31 runs in the third-place playoff.