Having lifted the T20 Asia Cup for a record eighth time, the Indian women’s cricket team arrived in Japan determined to defend the Asian Games gold medal won in 2023. Under Harmanpreet Kaur’s leadership, India had claimed the gold in 2023. This year, eight teams participated in the women’s competition, with the matches beginning directly from the quarterfinal stage.
India defeated Japan in the quarterfinal and then comfortably overcame Bangladesh in the semifinal. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, reached the final after defeating Pakistan. A competitive contest was expected between the two sides, but India dominated the final from start to finish.
At the Koogi Sports Park in Nishin, India opted to bat first and posted a huge 216 for three in 20 overs. Opener Smriti Mandhana produced a brilliant 79 off 45 balls, while Shafali Verma scored 48 off 29 balls. Richa Ghosh remained unbeaten on 49 from 22 deliveries.
India’s total of 216 became the highest score in the history of the Asian Games. Shafali and Smriti gave India a flying start, adding 99 runs in 10 overs. Harmanpreet Kaur contributed 19 runs, while Bharati Fulmali remained unbeaten on seven.
Chasing 217, Sri Lanka were bowled out for just 69 runs in 15.4 overs. Sri Lankan captain Chamari Athapaththu top-scored with 29 off 21 balls, but none of the other batters could withstand India’s bowling attack.
For India, Deepti Sharma claimed three wickets while conceding just six runs. Shafali Verma took two wickets for three runs, while Sri Charani also picked up two wickets. India’s emphatic bowling performance completed a 147-run victory.
Earlier, in the bronze-medal match, Pakistan defeated Bangladesh by 31 runs.
Speaking after the match, Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur said, “Before the tournament, we had discussed remaining unbeaten and maintaining the high standard of cricket we had set for ourselves. It was very satisfying to see every player approach the match with a positive mindset. The balance between experienced and new players worked well.”
India’s victory also produced several notable records. The 216-run total was the highest score in Asian Games history. The previous highest was Hong Kong’s 202 against Mongolia in 2023.
Repeating a monumental feat 😌🤩#AsianGames Gold Medal successfully defended 🏅#TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/VGl2BX37TQ
— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) September 22, 2026
The gold medal was India women’s second Asian Games gold medal in cricket. Pakistan had achieved the feat in 2010 and 2014. India won gold at its first attempt in 2023 and followed it up with a second consecutive gold this year.
India’s 147-run victory over Sri Lanka was also its biggest win in T20 cricket by runs. The previous record came in 2018, when India defeated Malaysia by 142 runs in the Asia Cup.
India hit 13 sixes in the final, accounting for 78 runs. Sri Lanka, by comparison, were dismissed for 69 runs. This was only the seventh instance in T20 cricket when the runs scored through sixes by one team exceeded the defeated team’s total score.
India’s dominance across batting and bowling ultimately secured another Asian Games title, reinforcing the team’s successful campaign with a second straight gold medal.
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