Women's cricket team gives India first gold of 2026 Asian Games

India women successfully defended their Asian Games cricket gold medal with a dominant 147-run victory over Sri Lanka in the final at Korogi Sports Park in Japan's Nishin on Tuesday. Smriti Mandhana’s 79 off 45 balls powered India to a record 216/3, while Deepti Sharma, Shafali Verma, Shreyanka Patil and Sree Charani shared the wickets as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 69.
This is India’s first gold medal at the ongoing Asian Games and their seventh overall. India had also won the gold medal in the previous edition and defended their title against the same opposition. India’s total was the highest in the history of the women’s Asian Games cricket competition and also the highest score in a women’s T20 final. Mandhana led the charge with a 45-ball 79, hitting five fours and seven sixes. 
Shafali, who had scored her maiden white-ball century in the semi-final against Bangladesh, continued her fine form with 48 off 29 balls, including three fours and three sixes. Richa Ghosh provided the late impetus with an unbeaten 49 off 22 balls, while Bharti Fulmali contributed a run-a-ball seven as India posted 216/3.
Sri Lanka struggled to build any momentum and lost wickets at regular intervals while attempting to chase the imposing target. Deepti claimed two more wickets, while Charani, the world’s top-ranked T20I bowler, also struck twice. All Sri Lankan hopes were pinned on skipper Chamari Athapaththu (29 off 21) but she alone could not take the fight to the Indians. Sri Lanka capitulated to 69 all out in 15.4 overs as Indian spinners ran through the opposition.
India’s total surpassed the previous highest score in Asian Games women’s cricket, Hong Kong’s 202/4 against Mongolia at the 2023 Hangzhou Games. It was also the highest total in a women’s T20 final, going past Brazil’s 210 against Spain in a quadrangular series final earlier this year.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated the Indian women’s cricket team on winning the gold medal at the Asian Games, describing it as a “splendid triumph” for Indian cricket. PM Modi said the team delivered a commanding performance marked by confidence, skill and teamwork. He noted that the victory also gave India its first gold medal of the ongoing edition of the Games. The Prime Minister said the team had made the nation proud and would inspire young cricketers across the country. He also extended his best wishes to the entire squad.

Brief scores: India 216/3 (Smriti Mandhana 79 off 45, Richa Ghosh 49 not out off 22; Chamudi Praboda 1-34, Kavisha Dilhari 1-35) beat Sri Lanka 69 (Chamari Athapaththu 29 off 21, Kaushani Nuthyangana 14 off 14; Deepti Sharma 3-6, Shafali Verma 2-3) by 147 runs.