Harmanpreet’s India avenge 2024 final defeat, beat Sri Lanka by 72 runs to lift eighth Women’s Asia Cup title | Cricket News
India Women are back on top of Asia. Harmanpreet Kaur’s side produced a commanding all-round performance to beat Sri Lanka Women by 72 runs in the Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2026 final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, reclaiming the continental crown and avenging their defeat in the 2024 final.After opting to bat first, India posted an imposing 183/5 in 20 overs, powered by a sensational opening partnership between Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana. The Indian bowlers then completed the job in emphatic fashion, bowling Sri Lanka out for 111 to seal a comprehensive victory.The victory gives India a record-extending eighth Women’s Asia Cup title and underlines their dominance in the continental tournament.
Shafali, Smriti set up India’s commanding total
India’s innings was built around a devastating opening stand between Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana.Shafali smashed 68 off just 39 balls, striking nine fours and two sixes, while Mandhana contributed a fluent 59 off 39 deliveries. Together, they added 129 runs for the opening wicket, putting Sri Lanka under immense pressure from the outset.Their aggressive batting gave India the perfect platform before Sri Lanka’s bowlers fought back with wickets in the middle overs. Gunalan Kamalini, however, provided the finishing touch with a quick-fire 15 not out from just five balls, including a huge six on the final delivery, taking India to 183/5.
Sri Lanka keep themselves alive before collapse
Sri Lanka’s chase did not begin smoothly as they lost an early wicket, but Chamari Athapaththu and Vishmi Gunaratne briefly revived their hopes with a fighting 58-run partnership. Athapaththu looked to take the attack to the Indian bowlers, while Gunaratne provided valuable support. However, with the required run rate climbing rapidly, both batters were forced to take greater risks.The breakthrough came at a crucial stage as Athapaththu was dismissed for 36 before Gunaratne followed for 20 in the same over. Their twin dismissals effectively broke Sri Lanka’s resistance and swung the final decisively India’s way.
India’s spin attack dismantles Sri Lanka
Once the partnership was broken, Sri Lanka’s middle order simply could not withstand India’s relentless bowling attack. The visitors slipped from 63/3 to 103/7 as wickets tumbled in quick succession. India kept attacking the stumps and denied Sri Lanka any opportunity to rebuild the innings.Shree Charani was the star with the ball, finishing with outstanding figures of 4/20 from her four overs. Her spell proved decisive as India continued to squeeze the Sri Lankan batters.Deepti Sharma also played a key role in the bowling effort, adding two crucial wickets to her already impressive tournament tally. She entered the final among the leading wicket-takers of the competition, with 11 wickets in four matches.Sri Lanka were eventually bowled out for 111 on the final ball of their innings, falling 72 runs short of India’s imposing target.
