THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

DUBAI, SEPTEMBER 13, 2026

India produced a near-complete performance with bat and ball to lift the Women’s T20 Asia Cup for a record-extending fourth time, defeating defending champions Sri Lanka by 72 runs in a one-sided final here on Sunday.

A breathtaking opening partnership between Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana laid the foundation for India’s imposing 183 for five before the bowlers, led by Deepti Sharma and N. Shree Charani, dismantled Sri Lanka’s chase. The victory also extended India’s dominance over Sri Lanka in Asia Cup finals, with India now leading the head-to-head 6-1.

The defining moment of India’s innings was the opening stand of 129 between Shafali and Mandhana — the highest partnership for any wicket in Women’s T20 Asia Cup history.

Shafali was particularly destructive. After captain Harmanpreet Kaur elected to bat, the opener took immediate advantage of the Sri Lankan bowling, combining brute force with clever placement. She raced to a 24-ball half-century, the fastest fifty in the history of the tournament, as India surged to 57 without loss in the powerplay.

Mandhana, initially content to play second fiddle, soon shifted gears. Her elegant strokeplay complemented Shafali’s aggression and she brought up her half-century from 36 balls. At the halfway stage, India were cruising at 98 without loss and a total in excess of 200 appeared within reach.

Sri Lanka, however, finally found a way back. Shafali fell for 68 in the 13th over after mistiming a shot to cover. Six balls later, Mandhana was run out for 59 following a costly mix-up with Harmanpreet.

India lost further wickets in the closing overs but recovered through late blows. G. Kamalini, playing her first match of the tournament and only her second T20I, provided the finishing touch with a four and a six off the final two deliveries to take India to 183 for five.

Imesha Dulani briefly offered promise before a failed scoop ended her innings, while Vishmi Gunaratne’s injury added to Sri Lanka’s early troubles. Chamari Athapaththu battled through a difficult start and eventually top-scored with 36, but her dismissal in the 10th over effectively ended Sri Lanka’s hopes.

Deepti outfoxed the Sri Lankan captain by shortening her length, inducing her to charge before turning the ball sharply past the bat. Richa Ghosh completed the stumping. Deepti struck again in the same over, bowling Gunaratne and leaving Sri Lanka requiring 121 from the final 10 overs.

From there, India’s spinners tightened the screws relentlessly. Charani removed Harshitha Samarawickrama before striking twice in the same over to dismiss Kavisha Dilhari and Nilakshika Silva.

India’s fielding was far from flawless, with five catches going down, but Sri Lanka could not exploit the reprieves. Deepti finished with three wickets, while Charani claimed four, making them the tournament’s leading two wicket-takers.

Sri Lanka were eventually bowled out for 111 off the final ball, handing India a comprehensive 72-run victory — and another chapter in their enduring dominance of women’s cricket in Asia.

For India, the final belonged first to the fearless opening pair and then to a spin attack that refused to loosen its grip. The champions had the perfect formula: explosive at the top, relentless in the middle and ruthless when it mattered most.