New Delhi – The Indian women's cricket side delivered a commanding display to capture the 2026 Women’s Asia Cup, edging out Sri Lanka by 72 runs and clinching a record eighth title. The side never suffered a defeat during the competition.
Batting first, India piled up 183 for five in the allotted 20 overs. Openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma laid a solid foundation with a 129‑run partnership. Verma struck 68 runs off 39 balls, while Mandhana contributed 59 at the same strike rate.
After the openers fell, the innings slowed slightly. Richa Ghosh added 17, Harmanpreet Kaur 14, and Deepti Sharma five, while G. Kamalini remained unbeaten on 15. Sri Lankan bowlers Mithali Ayodhya, Chamari Athapaththu and Chamudi Praboda each claimed a wicket.
Sri Lanka’s Chase Crumbles Under Indian Pace
Facing a target of 184, Sri Lanka stumbled early when Kranti Gaud removed Imisha Dulani for four runs. Captain Chamari Athapaththu and Vishmi Gunaratne attempted to rebuild, forging a 58‑run partnership for the second wicket.
Deepti Sharma broke that stand by dismissing Athapaththu for 36, and the Indian bowlers kept up the pressure, picking up wickets at regular intervals. Gunaratne added 20, Harshitha Samarawickrama nine, and Kavisha Dilhari seven, while Nilakshi de Silva managed 22 before the innings folded.
Sri Lanka were eventually bundled out for 111 in the full quota of overs. Sri Charani shone with the ball, taking four wickets, Deepti Sharma claimed three, and Kranti Gaud, Shafali Verma and Prema Rawat each picked up one.
Eight‑Time Champions: India’s Continued Supremacy
The victory lifts India’s tally to eight Women’s Asia Cup crowns – triumphs in the ODI editions of 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2008, and in the T20 format in 2012, 2016, 2022 and now 2026. After runner‑up finishes in 2018 and 2024, the side reclaimed the trophy with authority, underscoring its dominance in Asian women’s cricket.
