The grand finale of the Asian Games Women’s Cricket T20I Competition on September 25, 2023, witnessed a captivating clash between India Women and Sri Lanka Women at the picturesque Pingfeng Campus Cricket Field in Hangzhou. In a high-stakes encounter, India Women prevailed to win the gold medal in a match that showcased exceptional talent and fierce competition.
Also Read: Ahead of ODI World Cup 2023 Team India Claims No. 1 Spot
India’s Batting Dominance
India Women, led by their captain Harmanpreet Kaur, won the toss and elected to bat. The opening duo of Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma got off to a steady start before Shafali Verma was stumped by wicketkeeper Anushka Sanjeewani off Sugandika Kumari’s bowling. Verma contributed 9 runs, setting the stage for a remarkable partnership between Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues.
Smriti Mandhana’s Brilliant Batting
Smriti Mandhana played a brilliant innings, scoring 46 runs off 45 balls at a strike rate of 102.22. Her classy strokeplay included four boundaries and one six, setting a solid foundation for India.
Gold 🥇 Medal it is for #TeamIndia! 🙌 🙌
The team beats Sri Lanka by 19 runs in the summit clash to bag the top honours. 👏 👏
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/dY0wBiW3qA#IndiaAtAG22 | #AsianGames pic.twitter.com/dLEvEf6f97
— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) September 25, 2023
Jemimah Rodrigues’ Impressive Performance
Jemimah Rodrigues continued the momentum, crafting a valuable 42 off 40 deliveries, at a strike rate of 105.00. Her contribution played a crucial role in India’s total.
As the innings progressed, India Women encountered some setbacks, with Richa Ghosh, Harmanpreet Kaur, and Pooja Vastrakar falling relatively quickly. However, Deepti Sharma and Amanjot Kaur contributed valuable runs in the final overs, pushing India to a competitive total of 116/7 in their allotted 20 overs.
Sri Lanka’s Bowling Resilience
Sri Lanka Women’s bowling attack showed resilience and discipline throughout the innings. Udeshika Prabodhani and Sugandika Kumari were the pick of the bowlers, each claiming two crucial wickets. They bowled economically, not giving away easy runs and ensuring that India did not run away with a massive total.
Sri Lanka’s Challenging Chase
In response to India’s total, Sri Lanka Women had a challenging task ahead. Their captain, Chamari Athapaththu, made an aggressive start but was dismissed for 12 runs by Deepti Sharma. Anushka Sanjeewani and Vishmi Gunaratne’s early departures further added to the pressure.
Hasini Perera’s Valiant Effort
Hasini Perera emerged as the standout performer for Sri Lanka. She played a gritty innings of 25 runs off 22 balls, which included four boundaries and a six. Her partnership with Nilakshi de Silva provided hope for Sri Lanka.
Despite their commendable efforts, Sri Lanka Women found it challenging to keep up with the required run rate. Indian bowlers, led by Titas Sadhu’s remarkable spell of 3 wickets for just 6 runs, applied consistent pressure, making it difficult for Sri Lanka to build partnerships.
India’s Bowling Prowess
India’s bowling unit displayed excellent discipline and teamwork. Deepti Sharma (1) and Pooja Vastrakar (1) provided crucial breakthroughs, while Titas Sadhu (3) and Rajeshwari Gayakwad (2) kept the pressure on with tight spells. Devika Vaidya chipped (1) in with valuable contributions.
📸📸 We've done it! 👏 👏
Congratulations to #TeamIndia as they clinch a Gold 🥇 Medal at the Asian Games! 🙌 🙌
Well done! 🇮🇳
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/dY0wBiW3qA#IndiaAtAG22 | #AsianGames pic.twitter.com/Wfnonwlxgh
— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) September 25, 2023
India Women’s Cricket Team Triumph in Asian Games
In the end, India Women’s Cricket Team all-around performance and team effort led them to a resounding victory. Sri Lanka Women managed to reach 97/8 in their 20 overs, falling short of the target set by India. The Indian players celebrated their well-deserved gold medal in front of an enthusiastic crowd, capping off a memorable tournament.
The Asian Games Women’s Cricket T20I Final between India Women and Sri Lanka Women showcased the essence of cricket – a thrilling contest between bat and ball, determination, and teamwork. India’s superior batting and disciplined bowling proved to be the winning formula, securing them the gold medal.
As the players left the field with smiles of triumph and satisfaction, this match will be etched in the annals of cricket history as a testament to the dedication and skill of these talented women athletes.
