The India women’s cricket Asian Games 2026 campaign ended with another gold medal as Harmanpreet Kaur’s team defeated Sri Lanka by 147 runs in the women’s T20 final at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games on September 22, 2026. India produced a powerful batting display before their bowlers dismissed Sri Lanka for 69, completing a second consecutive Asian Games gold in women’s cricket.
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India Win Gold After Dominant Final Against Sri Lanka
India entered the final as the defending champions after winning the women’s cricket gold medal at the Hangzhou Asian Games in 2023. The 2026 final was also a repeat of that earlier gold-medal match, with Sri Lanka once again standing between India and the title.
After winning the toss, India captain Harmanpreet Kaur chose to bat first at Kōrogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Aichi Prefecture.
The decision paid off immediately. Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma gave India an explosive start, putting together a 99-run opening partnership. India eventually finished their 20 overs at 216 for 3, setting Sri Lanka a target of 217.
Sri Lanka could not build a sustained response and were bowled out for 69 inside 16 overs. India therefore won the final by 147 runs.
Smriti Mandhana Leads India’s Batting Charge
Smriti Mandhana was the leading run-scorer in India’s innings, making 79 from 45 deliveries.
Her innings combined controlled stroke play with aggressive hitting and gave India the platform needed for a very large total. Mandhana’s performance also produced a major individual milestone: she became the first woman batter to reach 11,000 international runs.
Shafali Verma provided the early acceleration alongside Mandhana. She scored 48 before falling just short of a half-century.
The opening pair’s 99-run partnership meant India were already in a strong position before the middle and lower order took over.
Richa Ghosh Provides the Late Fireworks
Richa Ghosh supplied India’s finishing power with an unbeaten 49 from only 22 balls.
Her aggressive innings helped India move beyond the 200-run mark and finish with 216 for 3. Ghosh’s ability to score quickly at the end of the innings ensured Sri Lanka faced a demanding target from the start of their chase.
India’s batting performance was built around contributions at different stages rather than one individual innings alone. Mandhana and Verma established the platform, while Ghosh provided the late acceleration.
India Bowling: Sri Lanka Bowled Out for 69
Sri Lanka’s chase never developed after early wickets.
Shafali Verma made an impact with the ball as well, taking two wickets in consecutive overs. She dismissed Imesha Dulani and Hasini Perera during the early part of the innings.
Deepti Sharma then removed Sri Lankan captain Chamari Athapaththu, who had scored 29 from 21 deliveries. That wicket further reduced Sri Lanka’s chances of mounting a recovery.
India’s spinners continued to apply pressure through the middle overs. Deepti Sharma finished with three wickets, while Shafali Verma, Sree Charani and Shreyanka Patil claimed two wickets each.
Sri Lanka were eventually dismissed for 69 in under 16 overs.
India Women’s Cricket Asian Games 2026 Journey
India’s route to the gold medal began in the knockout stage because the women’s Asian Games cricket competition featured eight teams and was played in T20 format.
India faced Japan in the quarter-final and then Bangladesh in the semi-final.
The semi-final against Bangladesh was another strong performance. India scored 195 for 4, with Shafali Verma making an unbeaten 100. India then bowled Bangladesh out for 81 to win by 114 runs.
That result sent India into the gold-medal match against Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka reached the final after defeating Pakistan by eight wickets in their semi-final. Pakistan later secured the bronze medal by beating Bangladesh by 31 runs.
India Retain the Women’s Cricket Gold
The 2026 victory means India have now won the women’s cricket gold medal at two consecutive Asian Games.
India won their first women’s cricket gold at the 2022 Asian Games, which were held in Hangzhou in 2023 after being postponed. They successfully defended that title in Aichi-Nagoya in 2026.
The final also gave India their first gold medal of the 2026 Asian Games.
For Sri Lanka, the result brought a silver medal after another strong run through the competition.
Key Performers in the Final
| Player | Performance |
|---|---|
| Smriti Mandhana | 79 off 45 balls |
| Shafali Verma | 48 runs and 2 wickets |
| Richa Ghosh | 49* off 22 balls |
| Deepti Sharma | 3 wickets |
| Sree Charani | 2 wickets |
| Shreyanka Patil | 2 wickets |
| Chamari Athapaththu | 29 off 21 balls |
India’s performance was notable because both batting and bowling contributed decisively. The 216-run total created enormous pressure, while the bowling attack prevented Sri Lanka from developing partnerships.
What Made India’s Final Performance Stand Out?
Three parts of India’s performance shaped the result.
1. A Fast Start
Mandhana and Verma immediately put pressure on the Sri Lankan bowling attack. Their 99-run opening stand gave India a strong foundation.
2. Powerful Finish
Richa Ghosh’s unbeaten 49 from 22 balls pushed India’s total to 216. The late acceleration transformed a strong platform into a very difficult target.
3. Consistent Bowling Pressure
India did not allow Sri Lanka to recover during the chase. Early wickets were followed by further breakthroughs from the spin attack, and Sri Lanka were eventually bowled out for 69.
Why the Gold Medal Matters
The result extends India’s successful record in women’s cricket at the Asian Games. More importantly, the team successfully defended the title after entering the tournament as the reigning champions.
The final also highlighted the depth of India’s T20 squad. Mandhana and Verma provided the opening partnership, Ghosh supplied the finishing attack, and multiple bowlers contributed wickets.
For Sri Lanka, reaching the final and taking silver represents another major result in the tournament, although India ultimately controlled the gold-medal match from the opening overs.
FAQs About India Women’s Cricket Asian Games 2026
Did India win the women’s cricket gold medal at the 2026 Asian Games?
Yes. India defeated Sri Lanka by 147 runs in the women’s T20 final on September 22, 2026, to win the gold medal.
What was India’s score in the Asian Games 2026 women’s cricket final?
India scored 216 runs for the loss of three wickets in their 20 overs.
How many runs did Smriti Mandhana score in the final?
Smriti Mandhana scored 79 runs from 45 deliveries.
How many runs did Sri Lanka score in the final?
Sri Lanka were bowled out for 69 runs in under 16 overs.
Who was India’s captain in the Asian Games 2026 women’s cricket competition?
Harmanpreet Kaur captained India’s women’s cricket team at the 2026 Asian Games.
Did India retain its Asian Games women’s cricket title?
Yes. India successfully defended the women’s cricket gold medal after winning the title at the previous Asian Games in Hangzhou.
Conclusion
The India women’s cricket Asian Games 2026 campaign finished with another gold medal and a commanding final victory over Sri Lanka. India scored 216 for 3, led by Smriti Mandhana’s 79 and Richa Ghosh’s unbeaten 49, before bowling Sri Lanka out for 69.
The 147-run victory gave India their second consecutive women’s cricket gold at the Asian Games and their first gold medal of the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Games.
