India Beat Sri Lanka by 72 Runs to Win Women’s Asia Cup 2026

India produced a dominant all-round performance to beat Sri Lanka by 72 runs and lift the Asia Cup title. Winning the toss and batting first, India’s batting unit took control of the final with a commanding 183/5, largely driven by an explosive 129-run opening partnership between Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana.

Shree Charani then starred with the ball as India clinched an eighth Asia Cup title, and a fourth since the tournament switched to the T20 format in 2012.

Shafali and Smriti put Sri Lanka under pressure from the start, with Shafali scoring a rapid 68 off 39 balls and Smriti contributing 59 off 39 before being run out. Shafali’s 24-ball fifty set the tone, while Smriti continued the momentum after her partner’s dismissal.

The Sri Lankan bowlers struggled to contain India, with most of them conceding heavily. Chamudi Praboda was the most expensive, giving away 40 runs from her four overs, while captain Chamari Athapaththu conceded 34 from four. Mithali Ayodhya returned figures of 1/33, Sugandika Kumari went for 31, and Kavisha Dilhari conceded 29 from three overs. Nilakshika Silva, who bowled just one over, was hit for 15 runs.

India’s strong start gave them the platform to attack at the back end, and Gunalan Kamalini finished the innings in style with an unbeaten 15 off five balls, including a six and a four. Shafali’s aggression, Smriti’s fluent acceleration and Kamalini’s late burst combined to completely shift the momentum in India’s favour.

Sri Lanka needed a steady start in their chase of 184 but lost three wickets inside the first 10 overs as India’s bowlers gradually tightened their grip on the innings. Kranti Gaud provided India with the first breakthrough in the opening over, removing Imesha Dulani for 4. Dulani attempted another scoop but missed the change in length, with the ball crashing into the top of leg stump.

Vishmi Gunaratne then joined Athapaththu at the crease and helped Sri Lanka recover during the powerplay. Athapaththu, after a quiet start, began to find her rhythm, while Gunaratne also contributed with useful boundaries.

Sri Lanka reached 44/1 after the powerplay, but India’s spinners soon began to make an impact. Charani kept the pressure on during her over, although Gunaratne survived a difficult return catch. Deepti Sharma then came into the attack and immediately settled into her rhythm.

Athapaththu continued to provide the main threat for Sri Lanka, reaching 36 off 32 balls with four fours and two sixes. However, Deepti produced the crucial breakthrough in the ninth over. With Athapaththu looking to attack, Deepti pulled her length back and beat the batter in flight. Richa Ghosh completed the stumping as Sri Lanka lost their most dangerous batter.

Deepti struck again two balls later, dismissing Gunaratne for 20 off 22 balls. The double strike left Sri Lanka at 63/3 after 10 overs, with Harshitha Samarawickrama at the crease.

Nilakshika Silva top-scored with 22. India’s spinners, however, kept the pressure on. Charani was the standout bowler, claiming four wickets, including those of Harshitha, Kavisha Dilhari and Sugandika Kumari. Deepti picked up two wickets, while Shafali and Prema Rawat also chipped in.

Deepti took the final wicket off the last ball of the innings to bowl Sri Lanka out for 111.

Brief Scores: India 183/5 (Shafali 68, Smriti 59) beat Sri Lanka 111 (Athapaththu 36; Charani 4/20, Deepti 3/19) by 72 runs.