With an eight-wicket victory against a self-destructing Sri Lanka in the Women’s Asia Cup final on Saturday, India continued to dominate the tournament, winning their seventh championship in eight attempts.
On a sluggish, twisting field, Sri Lanka decided to bat but crumbled in the tournament final—their first in 14 years. They only managed to score 65 for 9, which India defeated in 8.3 overs. Smriti Mandhana hit a magnificent 51 off 25 balls, remaining unbeaten.
Following a mix-up with Anushka Sanjeewani, who was run out six balls later, Sri Lankan skipper Chamari Athapaththu was run out in the third over, starting a collapse. Hasini Perera was sent back by Renuka on the first ball she encountered. Renuka has been in excellent form since the Commonwealth Games. Sri Lanka was nine for four at one point.
The Sri Lankans desperately needed a partnership, but Kavisha Dilhari’s dismissal after attempting to play an oncoming Renuka delivery across the line left them at 16 for 5.
Nilakshi de Silva attempted to cut a ball close to her body, but instead played onto her stumps, giving Gayakwad her maiden wicket. Being bowled out for a sub-50 total at 32 for eight seemed quite certain, but Ranaweera’s unbeaten 18 from 22 balls spared them the humiliation.
Although the Indians bowled with composure, the poor shot choice was more of a factor in Sri Lanka’s precipitous decline. It seems Sri Lanka succumbed to the pressure of the moment following a spectacular victory over Pakistan in the semifinals.
Shafali Verma and Jemimah Rodrigues were cheaply lost by India during the run chase. However, both batters performed admirably throughout the competition, with Jemimah making a successful recovery from injury and Shafali returning to form.
Along with captain Harmanpreet Kaur, the graceful Mandhana played some superb strokes to complete the formalities (11 not out of 14). Smriti put in six boundaries and three sixes. She appropriately completed the victory by hitting a maximum off Oshadi Ranasinghe.
India’s preparations for the T20 World Cup the following year are given a boost by the victory. During the campaign, they were allowed to test out individuals for various positions, but that also contributed to their one defeat, against Pakistan in the league stage.
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After their victory, which was observed by a sizable crowd, the Indians did a loop of the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium and, in a kind gesture, got together with the whole groundstaff.
