New Delhi: The Indian women’s cricket squad delivered a textbook performance in the 2026 Women’s Asia Cup final, crushing Sri Lanka by 72 runs and sealing a record‑breaking eighth title.

Batting fireworks set the tone

Winning the toss, India elected to bat and amassed a formidable 183 for 5 in their allotted 20 overs. Openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma laid a solid foundation with a 129‑run partnership. Verma, striking at a blistering 68 off 39 balls, and Mandhana, contributing 59 off 39, ensured the scoreboard kept ticking.

After the early burst, the middle order added useful runs: Richa Ghosh chipped in 17, Harmanpreet Kaur 14 and Deepti Sharma offered a quick five. The innings closed with G. Kamalini unbeaten on 15, leaving Sri Lanka with a daunting chase of 184.

Sri Lanka’s chase unravels

The Sri Lankan side stumbled immediately, with Kranti Gaud claiming the first wicket by dismissing Imisha Dulani for just four runs. Captain Chamari Athapaththu and Vishmi Gunaratne steadied the ship with a 58‑run stand for the second wicket, but Deepti Sharma soon broke the partnership, sending Athapaththu back for 36.

India’s bowlers kept the pressure relentless. Vishmi Gunaratne added a modest 20, Harshitha Samarawickrama contributed nine, and Kavisha Dilhari managed seven before the final wicket fell. Nilakshi de Silva’s 22‑run effort proved insufficient as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 111 in exactly 20 overs.

Bowling heroes

  • Sri Charani – four wickets, top wicket‑taker.
  • Deepti Sharma – three wickets, crucial breakthroughs.
  • Kranti Gaud, Shafali Verma, Prema Rawat – each added a wicket.
“Winning the Asia Cup again is a testament to the depth and spirit of Indian women’s cricket,” said captain Harmanpreet Kaur after the match.

Historic eighth triumph

This victory reinforces India’s dominance in the regional tournament. The side now boasts eight Women’s Asia Cup titles – four in the ODI era (2004, 2005, 2006, 2008) and four in the T20 format (2012, 2016, 2022, 2026). After setbacks in the 2018 and 2024 finals, the Indian women bounced back emphatically to reclaim the crown.

With an unbeaten run throughout the competition, the team has once again demonstrated why it remains the benchmark for women’s cricket in Asia.