In their first Asian Games appearance, the Indian women’s cricket team shined with the gold medal. In the Final of the Asian Games 2023, India beat Sri Lanka by 19 runs.
In the Final of the women’s cricket at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou (China), Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur returned after completing her suspension period and chose to bat first after winning the toss.
Asian Games 2022: Women’s Cricket – India beat Sri Lanka by 19 runs to win the gold medal
Indian opener Smriti Mandhana and the no.3 batter Jemimah Rodrigues had a crucial 73-run partnership for the second wicket as both the batters managed the 40s. While Mandhana scored 46 off 45 balls, Jemimah scored 42 runs in 40 balls. There was no other double-digit score in that innings as India scored 116/7 in 20 overs.
Three Sri Lankan bowlers, Udeshika Prabodhani (2/16), Inoka Ranaweera (2/21), and Sugandika Kumari (2/30), bagged two wickets each.
In reply, Sri Lanka Women were restricted to 97/8 in 20 overs. Hasini Perera (25), Nilakshi de Silva (23), Oshadi Ranasinghe (19), and the captain Chamari Athapaththu (12) managed double-digit scores, but those were not enough for them to beat the Indian team.
The 18-year-old right-arm medium Titas Sadhu, who made her WT20I debut in the previous Semifinal against Bangladesh Women, was the star bowler of the Indian team in the Final as her bowling figures were 4-1-6-3. Also, Rajeshwari Gayakwad picked up two wickets (2/20).
Earlier, the seeded team India advanced to the Semifinal after no result against Malaysia Women due to the rain washout in the second innings in the Quarterfinal. Later, in the Semifinals, India Women thrashed Bangladesh Women by eight wickets.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Women claimed an eight-wicket win against Thailand Women in the Quarterfinal and a six-wicket victory against Pakistan Women in the Semifinal.
Asian Games 2022: Women’s Cricket – Bangladesh beat Pakistan in the bronze medal match
While India won the gold medal and Sri Lanka won the silver medal, earlier Bangladesh Women beat Pakistan Women by five wickets to earn the bronze medal. While Pakistan scored 64/9 in 20 overs, Bangladesh took 18.2 overs to reach the target after losing five wickets
