India defeated Sri Lanka by 72 runs to secure a record-extending eighth women's Asia Cup title following standout performances from openers Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana.
India reclaimed the women's Asia Cup title in dominant fashion, crushing Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the final to avenge their defeat from the previous edition and secure a record-extending eighth tournament victory.
Opening batters Shafali Verma (68) and Smriti Mandhana (59) powered India's strong batting display before 18-year-old G Kamalini struck a five-ball 15, including a four and a six, to help lift India to 183-5. India's bowling attack, led by Shree Charani's 4/20, then restricted Sri Lanka to seal the win.
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur commended her side for maintaining their standards throughout the tournament and highlighted Verma's all-round impact. "We set some really high standards for us, and we had to match them every day, and I'm pretty happy with the way we all came up together," Harmanpreet said. "It's good to see somebody like Shafali taking responsibility and doing the job with bat and ball."
Head coach Amol Muzumdar praised the contrasting left-right opening partnership of Mandhana and Verma, as well as the execution of bowling tactics. Muzumdar noted that off-spinner Deepti Sharma successfully carried out a specific plan—derived from December's five-match series against Sri Lanka—to dismiss key batter Chamari.
Playing in her first major international tournament, medium pacer Nandani Sharma acknowledged the clear planning behind her bowling partnership with Kranti Gaud and expressed focus toward the upcoming Asian Games, while wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh credited the home crowd atmosphere and the team's clinical defense of their total.
Reporting sourced from The Hindu Cricket. Photo courtesy The Hindu Cricket.