Shafali and Mandhana power India to another Asia Cup title

India Women clinch fourth Women’s T20 Asia Cup title

Result:

• India Women 183/5 (20 overs)
  • Shafali Verma 68 (45)
  • Smriti Mandhana 59 (45)
  • Key bowlers: Mithali Ayodhya 1/33, Chamari Athapaththu 1/34
• Sri Lanka Women 111/10 (20 overs)
  • Chamari Athapaththu 36 (27)
  • Nilakshika Silva 22 (18)
  • Bowlers: Shree Charani 4/20, Deepti Sharma 3/19

Key highlights

• Opening partnership: Verma and Mandhana put on a record 120 runs for the first wicket, matching the world record for most 100+ opening stands (six).
• Fastest fifty in Asia Cup history: Shafali Verma reached 50 in 24 balls, one ball quicker than the previous best.
• Spin dominance: India’s spinners (Ayodhya & Athapaththu) combined for 4 wickets, restricting Sri Lanka to 111.
• Margin: 72‑run victory – the second‑largest win in a Women’s T20 Asia Cup final (behind Australia’s 85‑run win in 2020).

Match narrative

• Verma’s aggressive start (two fours off Mithali Ayodhya, followed by two sixes off Chamari Athapaththu) set the tone.
• Mandhana anchored the innings with controlled singles and doubles, allowing the partnership to cruise to 120/0 by the 12th over.
• After Verma’s dismissal, a brief wobble saw a run‑out of Mandhana, but the middle order added enough to post 183.
• Sri Lanka’s chase faltered early; Imesha Dulani fell on the fourth ball.
• Athapaththu’s early six gave Sri Lanka a spark, but Deepti Sharma’s second over produced a crucial stumping, and subsequent wickets (Gunaratne, Charani) collapsed the chase.
• Sri Lanka were bowled out for 111, handing India a comprehensive title win.

Takeaway

India’s blend of explosive opening firepower and disciplined spin bowling proved decisive, reinforcing their dominance in Asian women’s T20 cricket.