India 216 for 3 (Mandhana 79, Ghosh 49*, Shafali 48, Praboda 1-34) beat Sri Lanka 69 (Athapaththu 29, Deepti 3-6, Shafali 2-3, Patil 2-9, Charani 2-13) by 147 runs
India produced a ruthless all-round performance to crush Sri Lanka by 147 runs in the Asian Games women’s cricket final in Nisshin, securing back-to-back gold medals in the competition.
After posting a tournament-record 216 for 3, powered by Smriti Mandhana’s brilliant 79 and a late assault from Richa Ghosh, India’s spinners dismantled Sri Lanka for just 69 in 15.4 overs.
It was a comprehensive victory that exposed Sri Lanka’s struggles against spin, with all ten wickets falling to India’s slow bowlers.
Chamari Athapaththu offered the only significant resistance with 29 from 21 balls, but once the Sri Lankan captain departed, the chase collapsed rapidly.
India’s victory also completed a painful period for Sri Lanka, who have now lost two finals to India within ten days, following their defeat in the Asia Cup final.
Mandhana sets the tone
India, asked to bat first, immediately seized control.
Mandhana and Shafali Verma tore into the Sri Lankan attack during the powerplay, racing to a 99-run opening partnership.
Mandhana was particularly destructive. She struck seven sixes during her 45-ball 79, repeatedly taking advantage of anything short or overpitched.
Shafali matched her aggression, hitting two sixes before falling for 48 from 29 balls, top-edging Chamudi Praboda to short third.
India reached 67 without loss at the end of the powerplay and never allowed Sri Lanka back into the contest.
Mandhana continued to dominate after reaching her half-century from 30 deliveries, while Harmanpreet Kaur added 19 before departing.
Ghosh then took over.
Coming in at No. 4, the wicketkeeper-batter unleashed a powerful assault, striking boundaries almost at will during the closing overs. She finished unbeaten on 49 from only 22 balls as India surged past 200.
Mandhana eventually fell attempting another big shot, but Ghosh ensured there was no slowdown.
India added 19 runs from one over and another 15 from the next as Sri Lanka’s bowlers struggled to contain the assault. The final total of 216 for 3 gave India a formidable platform.
Sri Lanka collapse against spin
Sri Lanka began their chase positively enough, reaching 41 for 2 after six overs.
Athapaththu struck boundaries and appeared capable of providing some resistance, but India’s decision to rely heavily on spin soon changed the match.
Shafali struck twice in her opening spell.
She deceived Imesha Dulani in flight, with Ghosh completing the stumping, before removing Hasini Perera in her next over.
Deepti Sharma then delivered the decisive blow, having Athapaththu miscue to long-off.
From there, Sri Lanka simply unravelled.
Shreyanka Patil removed Harshitha Samarawickrama, while N Shree Charani dismissed Hansima Karunaratne. Deepti claimed her second wicket when Kavisha Dilhari spooned a drive back to her.
With six wickets down, Sri Lanka’s hopes of producing a competitive chase had disappeared.
The lower order offered little resistance against India’s spin attack. Kaushini Nuthyanganam produced a brief counterattack with a six and a four, but it only delayed the inevitable.
Sri Lanka were eventually bowled out for 69 in the 16th over.
Deepti finished with outstanding figures of 3 for 6, while Shafali, Patil and Charani claimed two wickets each.
A statement victory
India’s 147-run victory was built on explosive batting followed by relentless spin bowling.
Mandhana’s 79 and Ghosh’s unbeaten 49 ensured Sri Lanka were chasing an enormous total, before India’s spinners exploited conditions and Sri Lanka’s vulnerability against slow bowling.
For India, it was another emphatic statement on the Asian Games stage and their second consecutive women’s cricket gold medal.
For Sri Lanka, the silver medal represents a strong run to the final, but the manner of the defeat will raise serious questions about their ability to handle quality spin when faced with pressure on the biggest stage.
