India Crush Sri Lanka by 72 Runs to Lift Eighth Women’s Asia Cup Title

India Women produced a dominant all-round performance to defeat Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the final and clinch their eighth Women’s Asia Cup title in Dubai.

After winning the toss and opting to bat, India posted a formidable 183/5 in 20 overs, largely powered by a record opening partnership between Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana. The duo added 129 runs for the first wicket, the highest partnership for any wicket in Women’s Asia Cup history and also the highest partnership in a final of a women’s T20I tournament.

Shafali led the charge with an explosive 68 off 39 balls, smashing nine fours and two sixes. She reached her half-century in just 24 balls, registering the fastest fifty in Women’s Asia Cup history. Mandhana provided strong support with 59 off 39 balls, including five fours and three sixes.

Shafali finished the tournament as the leading run-scorer, accumulating 236 runs in five innings at an average of 47.20 and a strike rate of 171.01. The opening pair also recorded their sixth century partnership in Women’s T20Is, underlining their consistency at the top of the order.

India lost some momentum after the departure of the openers. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur scored 14, while Richa Ghosh made 17. A late cameo from Bharti Fulmali, who remained unbeaten on 15 off just five deliveries, helped India finish with a challenging total.

Sri Lanka's chase suffered an early setback when Kranti Gaud dismissed Imesha Dulani in the opening over. Captain Chamari Athapaththu attempted to counterattack and top-scored with 36 off 32 balls, but India's bowlers steadily increased the pressure.

Once the powerplay ended, India's spinners took control. Deepti Sharma removed Athapaththu and Vishmi Gunaratne in the 10th over, while Sree Charani repeatedly struck in the middle overs.

Charani finished with impressive figures of 4/20 from four overs, while Deepti claimed 3/19. Sri Lanka slipped to 102/6 after 16 overs and were eventually bowled out, handing India a comprehensive 72-run victory.

The emphatic win capped India's impressive campaign and secured another continental crown after their defeat to Sri Lanka in the 2024 final.