India Women Target Cricket Gold as Sri Lanka Challenge Awaits in Asian Games Final

India Women are within touching distance of another Asian Games cricket gold, but their final hurdle is a familiar one.

Sri Lanka will face India in Tuesday’s title clash, bringing together two unbeaten sides with a history of producing closely watched encounters when silverware is at stake.

India have made a commanding start to their gold-medal defence. After comfortably defeating Japan in their opening match, they produced an even stronger display against Bangladesh in the semi-final. Sri Lanka have followed a similar unbeaten path, defeating Malaysia before pulling off a successful chase against Pakistan in the last four.

India’s Shafali-Charani combination in focus

India opened their campaign with an eight-wicket victory over Japan after dismissing the hosts for only 57. Shree Charani was the standout bowler, claiming 4/10, while Shafali Verma added 2/13 before smashing an unbeaten 40 from just 15 deliveries.

The semi-final against Bangladesh saw Shafali produce a historic performance. She became the first cricketer to score a century at the Asian Games, remaining unbeaten on 100 from 49 balls. Her innings featured nine sixes and three fours. Smriti Mandhana contributed 37 from 19 balls, while Harmanpreet Kaur scored 40 from 33 as India posted 195/4.

Bangladesh struggled in reply and were bowled out for 81, handing India a 114-run victory. Nandani Sharma and Deepti Sharma picked up three wickets each, while Charani once again made an impact with the ball.

Shafali has accumulated 140 runs in two innings and currently leads India’s scoring charts. Charani has taken six wickets, while Deepti has four wickets to her name, giving India considerable depth in the spin department.

Sri Lanka rely on Athapaththu’s experience

Sri Lanka began their campaign with an 86-run win over Malaysia. Captain Chamari Athapaththu set the platform with a 37-ball 63, while Kavisha Dilhari remained unbeaten on 44 as Sri Lanka posted 160/4. Malaysia finished on 74/7, with Athapaththu, Dilhari and Mithali Ayodhya taking two wickets apiece.

Their semi-final against Pakistan was a much tougher contest. Pakistan scored 177/4, led by Ayesha Zafar’s 71 and Shawaal Zulfiqar’s 54. Sri Lanka responded confidently, reaching 178/2 in 17.5 overs to book their place in the final.

Athapaththu once again proved decisive, smashing an unbeaten 83 from 50 balls. Hasini Perera scored 42 off 26, and the duo added 95 runs together to steer Sri Lanka through the chase.

Athapaththu has scored 146 runs in the tournament and has also taken six wickets. Hasini, Dilhari and Harshitha Samarawickrama add further strength to Sri Lanka’s batting lineup.

India-Sri Lanka rivalry adds another final chapter

The two teams have developed a familiar rivalry in recent years, particularly in finals.

At the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, India defeated Sri Lanka by 19 runs to claim the gold medal. Mandhana scored 46, Jemimah Rodrigues contributed 42, while Titas Sadhu returned figures of 3/6 as India defended a total of 116.

Sri Lanka got their revenge in the 2024 Women’s Asia Cup final. Athapaththu scored 61 and Harshitha Samarawickrama remained unbeaten on 69 as Sri Lanka chased down India’s 165/6 to secure their first Women’s Asia Cup title.

The latest chapter came in the 2026 Women’s Asia Cup final, where India defeated Sri Lanka by 72 runs. Shafali scored 68 and Mandhana made 59 before India’s bowlers restricted Sri Lanka to 111, securing India’s eighth Women’s Asia Cup crown.

Now, the Asian Games gold medal is once again on the line. India will look to retain the title they won in Hangzhou, while Sri Lanka will attempt to turn their unbeaten campaign into gold.

India vs Sri Lanka Women’s Final: Match Details

Start time: 10:30 AM IST (2 PM local time)

Broadcast: Sony Sports Network

Live streaming: Sony LIV

Head-to-Head Record

India and Sri Lanka have met 32 times in women’s internationals, with India winning 26 matches, Sri Lanka winning five and one ending without a result.

Probable Playing XIs

India: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Gunalan Kamalini, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Richa Ghosh (wk), Bharti Fulmali, Deepti Sharma, Shreyanka Patil, Shree Charani, Nandani Sharma, Kranti Gaud

Sri Lanka: Imesha Dulani, Chamari Athapaththu (c), Hasini Perera, Kavisha Dilhari, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Hansima Karunaratne, Kaushani Nuthyangana (wk), Mithali Ayodhya, Kawya Kavindi, Chamudi Praboda, Sugandika Kumari