India Women produced a commanding batting display to post 183 for 5 in 20 overs against defending champions Sri Lanka in the Women’s Asia Cup 2026 final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Openers Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana set the tone with a blistering 129-run partnership. Verma smashed 68 off just 39 balls, including nine fours and two sixes. She reached her half-century in only 24 deliveries — the fastest fifty in the history of the Women’s T20 Asia Cup.
Mandhana played the perfect supporting role, scoring 59 off 39 balls with five fours and three sixes. The pair treated Sri Lanka’s bowlers with disdain, racing to 100 in the 11th over before Verma finally fell, caught by Chamari Athapaththu.
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur (14) and Richa Ghosh (17) added useful runs in the middle order. After a brief wobble that saw three wickets fall late, 18-year-old Gunalan Kamalini provided the perfect finish. The young batter smashed 15 not out off just five balls, including a six off the last delivery to push India past 180.
India, seven-time winners of the tournament, are chasing an eighth title and revenge for their 2024 final defeat to Sri Lanka. The defending champions had successfully chased 166 in that match. This time they face a steeper target of 184.
With a strong bowling attack featuring Deepti Sharma and others, India will now look to defend the total under lights. Sri Lanka, led by Athapaththu, will need a special effort if they are to retain the trophy they won two years ago.
All eyes are now on whether India’s bowlers can close out the game and bring the Asia Cup back to the Women in Blue.
