Patna: India claimed a record-extending eighth Women’s Asia Cup title on Sunday, defeating defending champions Sri Lanka by 72 runs at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Openers Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana produced a record 129-run partnership to set up the victory.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, India posted 183 for 5 in their 20 overs. Sri Lanka were bowled out for 111 in reply.
The win avenged India’s defeat to Sri Lanka in the 2024 final. It also marked India’s fourth T20 Asia Cup crown and their eighth overall title across both ODI and T20 formats.
Record-Breaking Opening Stand
Shafali and Mandhana dominated the Sri Lankan attack from the start. The pair added 129 runs for the opening wicket in just 12.5 overs, the highest partnership for any wicket in a Women’s T20I final.
The stand broke the previous record of 120 set by Hayley Matthews and Stafanie Taylor for West Indies in the 2016 T20 World Cup final. It was also the highest partnership in Women’s Asia Cup history, surpassing the 128-run stand between Jemimah Rodrigues and Deepti Sharma against UAE in 2022.
Shafali was the aggressor, smashing 68 off 39 balls with nine fours and two sixes. She reached her fifty in just 24 balls, the fastest half-century in Women’s Asia Cup history.
Mandhana provided strong support with 59 off 39 deliveries, including five fours and three sixes. The knock made her the leading run-scorer in women’s T20Is, surpassing Suzie Bates’ tally of 4758 runs.
Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu said the opening pair made the difference. ‘They took the game away from us in the first six overs,’ Athapaththu said after the match. ‘When you concede 57 runs in the powerplay without a wicket, it becomes very difficult to come back in a final.’
Charani Leads Bowling Effort
Shree Charani was the standout bowler for India, finishing with figures of 4 for 20 from her four overs. The left-arm spinner dismissed Harshitha Samarawickrama, Nilakshika Silva, Kavisha Dilhari, and Sugandika Kumari.
Deepti Sharma also contributed with 2 for 15, while Kranti Gaud and Shafali picked up one wicket each.
Sri Lanka never recovered from early setbacks. Opener Imesha Dulani was dismissed in the first over. Athapaththu top-scored with 36, while Nilakshika Silva added 22. The defending champions were bowled out on the final ball of their innings.
‘Our bowlers executed the plans perfectly,’ Harmanpreet Kaur said after the match. ‘Charani has been outstanding throughout the tournament, and today she showed why she is such an important player for us.’
India’s Dominance in Asia Cup
India have now won eight of the 13 Women’s Asia Cup editions. In the ODI format, India won all five editions between 2004 and 2010. Since the tournament switched to T20Is in 2012, India have claimed four titles while Bangladesh won in 2018 and Sri Lanka in 2024.
This was India’s sixth victory against Sri Lanka in Asia Cup finals. The two sides have met in multiple title clashes, with India winning the majority of those encounters.
Gunalan Kamalini, playing her first match of the tournament, provided a late boost with 15 runs off just five balls, helping India finish above 180.
India will now turn their attention to the upcoming Asian Games, where they will aim to carry this momentum forward. The team’s next international assignment has not yet been officially announced.
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