Nagoya: India successfully defended their Asian Games women’s cricket title with a commanding 147-run victory over Sri Lanka in the gold-medal clash in Nagoya on Tuesday.

After opting to bat, India posted a formidable 216/3, powered by a superb 79 from Smriti Mandhana and a quickfire 49 not out from Richa Ghosh. Sri Lanka were then bowled out for just 69 in 15.4 overs as India’s bowlers completed a dominant performance.

The victory gave India another Asian Games gold medal in women’s cricket and extended their impressive run against Sri Lanka, who had also suffered defeat against India in the Asia Cup final earlier this month.

Mandhana and Shafali provide flying start

India got off to an explosive start after choosing to bat first.

Mandhana and Shafali Verma put Sri Lanka’s bowlers under immediate pressure, adding 99 runs from just 60 balls. The opening pair maintained an aggressive approach throughout the powerplay and laid the foundation for India’s huge total.

Shafali contributed 48 off 29 deliveries, attacking the bowling from the outset. Mandhana was equally aggressive and went on to score 79, striking seven sixes during her innings.

The 99-run partnership in 10 overs gave India complete control of the innings and allowed the middle order to attack during the latter stages.

Richa Ghosh delivers late flourish

India captain Harmanpreet Kaur came in to consolidate the innings but was dismissed for 19 off 17 balls in the 15th over after being caught at long-off.

Mandhana continued to keep the scoreboard moving before eventually falling while attempting another big hit.

Richa Ghosh then produced a sensational finish to the innings. The wicketkeeper-batter smashed an unbeaten 49 from just 22 deliveries, including seven fours and three sixes.

Her aggressive cameo in the death overs helped India cross the 200-run mark and finish on 216/3, leaving Sri Lanka with a daunting target.

Sri Lanka collapse under pressure

Chasing 217 for the gold medal, Sri Lanka struggled to establish any momentum.

Captain Chamari Athapaththu was their leading scorer with 29 from 21 balls, but the rest of the batting line-up failed to withstand India’s bowling attack.

Sri Lanka were eventually bowled out for 69 in 15.4 overs, falling well short of the target.

Deepti Sharma was the pick of the Indian bowlers, returning impressive figures of 3/6. Shafali Verma contributed with the ball as well, taking 2/3, while Shree Charani claimed two wickets.

India’s bowlers maintained pressure throughout the chase and ensured that Sri Lanka never came close to challenging the target.

India complete dominant campaign

The gold-medal victory capped a highly successful Asian Games campaign for India, who recorded three dominant wins during the competition.

Sri Lanka entered the final as familiar opponents, having already faced India in the Asia Cup final earlier this month. India once again emerged on top, producing a comprehensive performance with both bat and ball.

The victory in Nagoya underlined India’s strength in the format and ensured that the women’s cricket team retained its Asian Games crown.

With Mandhana and Shafali providing a strong start, Richa finishing the innings in style and the bowling attack dismantling Sri Lanka’s chase, India produced a complete performance in the gold-medal match.