India Crush Sri Lanka by 147 Runs to Take Asian Games Women's Cricket Gold
The short version
- India beat Sri Lanka by 147 runs in the Asian Games women's cricket final at Korogi Sports Park.
- India's 216/3 was anchored by Smriti Mandhana's 79 off 45 balls; Richa Ghosh made 49 not out.
- Sri Lanka were bowled out for 69 in 15.4 overs, with Deepti Sharma taking 3/6.
- The win was the largest margin of victory by runs in women's T20 international history.
- It was India's first gold medal of these Asian Games.
Harmanpreet Kaur's side posted 216/3 and bowled Sri Lanka out for 69 in Hangzhou, claiming India's first gold medal of the Games.
India's women's cricket team won gold at the Asian Games with a 147-run victory over Sri Lanka at Korogi Sports Park, the largest winning margin by runs in women's T20 international history. Batting first, India piled up 216/3 before dismissing Sri Lanka for 69 in 15.4 overs.
Smriti Mandhana top-scored with 79 off 45 balls, striking five fours and seven sixes. Shafali Verma added 48 from 29 deliveries at the top of the order, and Richa Ghosh finished unbeaten on 49 from just 22 balls to push India past 200. Chamudi Praboda was the lone wicket-taker for Sri Lanka with 1/34.
Chasing on a hybrid pitch that favored spin, Sri Lanka never built momentum. Captain Chamari Athapaththu made 29 and Kaushini Nuthyangana 14, but no other batter reached double figures. Deepti Sharma led the attack with 3/6, while Shafali Verma, Shreyanka Patil and Shree Charani chipped in with two wickets each.
It was the first gold medal of the Games for India's roughly 500-strong contingent. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur said the team's goal had been to win gold and see the national flag raised, adding that while trophies usually go to the BCCI office, a medal was something the players could keep.