India crush Sri Lanka by 147 runs in Nisshin to claim their second consecutive Asian Games women’s cricket gold medal.

India produced a breathtaking all-round performance to crush Sri Lanka by 147 runs in the Asian Games women’s cricket final in Nisshin, securing the country’s first gold medal of the 2026 multi-sport event.

After posting a record 216 for 3, India’s bowlers dismantled Sri Lanka’s batting line-up, dismissing them for just 69. All ten Sri Lankan wickets fell to spin as India completed a comprehensive victory and successfully defended their Asian Games title from 2023.

Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma and Richa Ghosh were the standout performers with the bat, while the spin attack delivered a devastating display with the ball.

Mandhana and Shafali set the platform

India won the toss and chose to bat, with Mandhana and Shafali immediately putting Sri Lanka under pressure.

The opening pair raced to a 99-run partnership, setting the foundation for India’s imposing total.

Mandhana was particularly destructive, finding the boundary repeatedly during the powerplay. She struck two fours from the opening over before launching three sixes across the next two overs.

Shafali soon joined the assault, hitting Chamari Athapaththu for two sixes as India surged past 60 during the powerplay.

India reached 67 without loss after six overs, with the scoring rate comfortably above 11 an over.

Mandhana brought up her half-century from just 30 balls, while Shafali continued to attack from the other end.

Shafali eventually fell for a brisk 48 from 29 balls, top-edging Chamudi Praboda to short third.

Mandhana continued her charge, but after reaching 79 from 45 balls, she was dismissed attempting another big shot.

Ghosh provides the finishing explosion

With Harmanpreet Kaur contributing a valuable 19 from 17 balls, Richa Ghosh arrived at No. 4 and immediately restored India’s momentum.

Ghosh attacked the Sri Lankan bowlers with remarkable confidence, finding boundaries regularly as India accelerated towards 200.

She smashed 19 runs from one over before launching two more sixes in the following over, including a powerful pull over deep midwicket.

Ghosh finished unbeaten on 49 from just 22 balls, helping India reach 216 for 3, the highest total in Asian Games women’s cricket.

Sri Lanka’s chase collapses

Sri Lanka’s pursuit of 217 began positively enough, despite an early missed chance from India.

Athapaththu struck two boundaries in the second over and briefly appeared capable of leading another successful chase.

India, however, soon turned to spin.

Shafali Verma made an immediate impact, deceiving Imesha Dulani in flight and having her stumped by Ghosh.

She then dismissed Hasini Perera in her following over, leaving Sri Lanka struggling at the top.

Sri Lanka reached 41 for 2 at the end of the powerplay, but once India committed fully to spin, the chase rapidly unravelled.

India spin their way to gold

Deepti Sharma delivered the decisive blow in the seventh over when she dismissed Athapaththu for 29, ending Sri Lanka’s best hope of a competitive chase.

Shreyanka Patil then removed Harshitha Samarawickrama for a duck before N Shree Charani dismissed Hansima Karunaratne.

Deepti struck again when Kavisha Dilhari returned a catch to the bowler, leaving Sri Lanka six wickets down and firmly out of contention.

There was little resistance from the Sri Lankan lower order.

Kaushini Nuthyanganam produced a brief counterattack with a six and a four, but her dismissal ended Sri Lanka’s innings in the 16th over.

Deepti Sharma finished with outstanding figures of 3 for 6, while Shafali, Shree Charani and Shreyanka Patil claimed two wickets each.

Sri Lanka were bowled out for just 69, completing a 147-run victory for India.

India retain Asian Games crown

The triumph gives India their second consecutive Asian Games women’s cricket gold medal, following their victory in 2023.

For Sri Lanka, it was another disappointing final against India, coming just days after their defeat in the Asia Cup title clash.

India’s dominant batting performance followed by a relentless spin-bowling display ensured there was never any doubt about the destination of the gold medal.