India women successfully defended their Asian Games cricket gold medal after defeating Sri Lanka by 147 runs in the final at Korogi Sports Park on Tuesday. Batting first, India posted a record 216/3, their highest-ever total in the Women’s Asian Games.
Smriti Mandhana led the charge with a brilliant 79 off 45 balls, including seven sixes and five fours. Shafali Verma added 48 off 29 balls, while Richa Ghosh provided a late flourish with an unbeaten 49 off just 22 deliveries.
Chasing 217, Sri Lanka struggled from the outset and were bowled out for just 69 in 15.4 overs. Captain Chamari Athapaththu top-scored with 29. Deepti Sharma was India’s leading bowler with three wickets, while Shafali Verma and Sree Charani claimed two each.
The victory gave India their first gold medal of the ongoing Asian Games and seventh overall medal. India had also won gold in the previous edition, defeating the same opponents in the final.