India have once again underlined their dominance in women’s cricket by lifting the women Asia Cup title in emphatic fashion. In a thrilling final, India defeated Sri Lanka by 72 runs after putting up a strong total of 183 before bowling the hosts out for just 111.
The victory marks India’s record eighth Asia Cup championship. The result also gave Harmanpreet Kaur’s side a measure of revenge for their defeat against Sri Lanka in the 2024 Asia Cup final.
India’s Openers Set Up a Commanding Total
After winning the toss, India opted to bat first, and the decision immediately paid off. Openers Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana produced a sensational start, putting the Sri Lankan bowling attack under enormous pressure.
Shafali was particularly aggressive from the opening over. She raced to her half-century in only 24 balls, recording the fastest fifty in the history of the women’s T20 Asia Cup. The landmark also marked the 21st half-century of her international T20 career.
She eventually finished with a superb 68 from 39 deliveries, hitting nine boundaries and two sixes during her entertaining innings.
At the other end, Mandhana initially took her time before switching gears and finding the boundary with a series of classy strokes. She reached her fifty from 34 balls and went on to make 59 from 39 deliveries.
Together, the two Indian openers added a remarkable 129 runs for the first wicket. It became the highest partnership for any wicket in the T20 Asia Cup, highlighting just how dominant India were during the first half of their innings.
Shafali and Mandhana Equal a Major T20 Record
The 129-run stand was also significant in women’s international T20 cricket. It was the sixth century partnership between Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana, allowing them to equal the world record jointly held by UAE’s Esha Oza and Theertha Satish.
The partnership also broke India’s previous record for the highest stand in the Asia Cup. Jemimah Rodrigues and Deepti Sharma had earlier held that record with their 128-run partnership.
Despite the excellent opening platform, India’s middle order struggled to maintain the same momentum. India had reached 130 runs after 13 overs, but managed only 53 more runs during the final seven overs while losing three wickets.
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur contributed 14 runs before being dismissed. However, the explosive start provided by the openers ensured that India still reached a formidable 183.
Sri Lanka Struggle Under India’s Bowling Pressure
Sri Lanka needed 184 runs to win the final, but their chase never gained the required momentum.
India made an early breakthrough when Kranti Gaud dismissed Imesha Dulani for just four runs. That wicket immediately put Sri Lanka under pressure.
Captain Chamari Athapaththu and Vishmi Gunaratne attempted to steady the innings during the powerplay, but India’s bowlers maintained disciplined lines and lengths, making it difficult for the Sri Lankan batters to score freely.
Sri Lanka could manage only 38 runs during the powerplay. As the required run rate continued to climb, wickets began falling at regular intervals.
The Sri Lankan batting lineup was eventually bowled out for 111, handing India a convincing 72-run victory in the final.
India Complete a Historic Women Asia Cup Campaign
With this triumph, India have strengthened their extraordinary record in the women Asia Cup. The Indian women’s team have now reached the final in all 10 editions of the tournament and have won the championship eight times.
The latest victory is therefore another major milestone for Indian women’s cricket. More importantly, it came against the same Sri Lankan side that had denied India the trophy in the 2024 final.
India’s powerful opening partnership, followed by a disciplined bowling performance, proved decisive. Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana provided the foundation with their record-breaking stand, while the bowlers ensured Sri Lanka never came close to chasing down the target.
India’s 72-run victory not only secured another Asia Cup crown but also reaffirmed their position as the dominant force in the tournament’s history.
Also read: Shafali Verma Becomes Youngest Batter to Complete 3,000 T20I Runs, Creates History
India complete an unbeaten campaign to secure their eighth Women’s Asia Cup title 🇮🇳🏆 📝: https://t.co/n0D6WSbmIj https://t.co/Fv9C4I8EMo
— ICC (@ICC) September 13, 2026
