Women’s Asia Cup final: India elect to bat against Sri Lanka

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Harmanpreet Kaur, Captain of India and Chamari Athapaththu, Captain of Sri Lanka pose with the series trophy on the eve of the final of the DP World ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2026 between India and Sri Lanka at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on September 12, 2026. | Photo Credit: Special arrangement

Shafali Verma and vice-captain Smriti Mandhana struck forceful fifties, while the bowlers under Sree Charani produced an equally intense effort as India crushed Sri Lanka by 72 runs to clinch a record-extending eighth women’s Asia Cup title in Dubai on Sunday (September 13, 2026).

Openers Shafali (68) and Mandhana (59) produced a symphony of power and grace during their stand of 129 in just 12.5 overs, guiding India to 183 for five in 20 overs

The Lankans managed to rein in the opposition’s middle-order in the business end of the innings, but they were no match for the guile of Indian bowlers — led ably by left-arm spinner Charani (4/20) — ending up at 111 all out in 20 overs.

Their main, in fact their only hope, was skipper Chamari Athapaththu (36, 32b), who raised 58 runs for the second wicket with Vishmi Gunaratne.

But seasoned off-spinner Deepti Sharma dealt a body blow to Lanka’s aspirations, dismissing both batters in the 10th over.

Athapaththu tried to give Deepti the charge but she was beaten in the flight and stumper Richa Ghosh did the rest.

Three balls later, Gunaratne went for a sweep but only to be bowled around her legs.

At 63 for three after 10 overs, with the asking rate soaring over 12, the match was as good as over for the defending champions, and all these despite India shelling five catches.

Earlier, after electing to bat, Mandhana, who hit her 36th T20I fifty, and Shafali, whose 24-ball fifty was the fastest in women’s Asia Cup, shut the Lankans out of the match.

In fact, Shafali eclipsed the 25-ball fifty Mandhana made in the tournament’s 2022 edition.

The 22-year-old made her intentions clear from the outset, pulling and driving with power.

Shafali targeted Athapaththu in her first over itself, creaming her for 6, 6 and 4 as India reached 57 in the Power Play segment and 98 in at the half-way mark without losing any wicket.