Nagoya: India’s women cricketers celebrated a historic second successive Asian Games gold medal after defeating Sri Lanka by 147 runs at Korogi Sports Park on Tuesday. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur, vice-captain Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma and Deepti Sharma spoke of their pride after India successfully defended the gold medal won at the 2023 Hangzhou Games.
The triumph also marked India’s second consecutive victory over Sri Lanka in a major final. India had defeated the same opponents in the Asia Cup 2026 final in Dubai earlier this month.
For Harmanpreet, the gold medal was the result of a clear objective that the team had set after arriving in Japan.
Harmanpreet praises India’s clinical campaign
Harmanpreet said winning the gold medal had been the team’s only target since the beginning of their Asian Games campaign.
“The gold medal platform has opened. Our first gold medal has arrived. It’s a very special feeling. Ever since we arrived in Japan and started preparing for the Asian Games, we had only one goal in mind – to win the gold medal. So this day is a very special day for us,” she said in a video posted on BCCI’s social media accounts.
The India captain also praised the team’s consistency and the contribution of players throughout the tournament.
“Ever since the Asia Cup began, everyone wanted to set some standards and match them every day. The way the team played throughout the tournament, it was a very dominating performance. As a captain, it was a very good thing for me that everyone contributed so well and gave outstanding performances,” Harmanpreet said.
She added that winning two tournaments in succession had created special memories for the team.
“It felt good that we enjoyed so much on the ground. The atmosphere was great. Everyone played well together and we were able to create good memories. We got to see good achievements. It felt good that we won two back-to-back tournaments.”
Harmanpreet also wished the rest of India’s Asian Games contingent success and hoped the country would collect more gold medals.
Smriti Mandhana proud of India’s resurgence
Smriti Mandhana highlighted the significance of India’s strong return after their early exit from this year’s T20 World Cup in England.
“The last one in China was a pretty special one. Here again in Japan, I’m very proud to see the tricolour going high and the national anthem playing – I think it’s a very proud moment,” Mandhana said.
The vice-captain said the Asia Cup and Asian Games successes had provided an encouraging response after the disappointment of the World Cup, while stressing that India would need to maintain the same standards against stronger opposition.
“It’s been good, I mean, after a disappointing World Cup, it’s good to come back in winning ways. The Asia Cup and Asian Games are important tournaments, but we’ll have to keep doing this against better opponents,” she said.
Mandhana also reflected on her journey from childhood dreams to representing India on the international stage.
“I never imagined as a kid that I’ll be playing for India ever and give it all – scoring runs or winning matches for India. So it’s a special occasion for all of us and the Indian fans as well who’ve been right there and me and the team and it’s just the start, I guess,” she said.
Shafali savours T20I century and gold medal
Shafali Verma had another reason to celebrate after reaching a long-awaited T20I century during India’s semi-final against Bangladesh.
The opener said the combination of team unity, victories and medals had strengthened India’s confidence.
“Victory always brings happiness – that’s all I would say. Team unity has gotten really strong and winning more trophies and medals give the team confidence, I would say. So I think we all are so happy about that,” Shafali said.
She recalled dreaming of scoring a T20I century from the time she began playing cricket.
“When I started playing in my childhood, my favourite format was T20. I think it was my childhood dream to score a hundred whenever I debut for the Indian team. I made my debut in 2019, and since then, I’ve been manifesting that I want to score a hundred in T20,” she said.
Shafali acknowledged that the milestone took time but said she was delighted to finally achieve it.
“It took me a long time to get the hundred, but I’m happy and glad it came. I will try to be in that moment again and again and I’m so happy about that.”
The gold medal, however, provided an equally special moment.
“It’s the best feeling to go on the podium and wear that gold medal around my neck. It’s the best feeling. When I saw my country’s flag flying high, I was so very happy,” she said.
Deepti hails India’s consistency
All-rounder Deepti Sharma described India’s ability to consistently win medals and trophies as an important feature of the team.
“If I talk about the first year, we won the gold medal then as well. This year also, consistency is the key, which Team India always delivers,” Deepti said.
She said the team had prepared specifically for the opportunity and was delighted to deliver when it mattered.
“We prepared for this moment and at the end, we won the gold medal. So it feels really good. I’m so happy to have won the first gold medal of 2026 for India. It’s a very proud moment,” she added.
India’s back-to-back Asian Games gold medals have given the women’s cricket team another significant achievement on the international stage, with the players now turning their attention to maintaining the standards they have set across the recent tournaments.