Mandhana and Ghosh lead India to 216/3 in Asian Games women’s final

India posted a commanding total of 216 for three against Sri Lanka in the women’s cricket gold medal match at the Asian Games 2026, propelled by Smriti Mandhana’s 79 and a late surge from Richa Ghosh.

Batting first, India began strongly as Mandhana hit two boundaries in the opening over bowled by Sugandika Kumari. Continuing her aggressive approach, Mandhana struck two consecutive sixes off Kumari in the third over, bringing India to 25 without loss.

Alongside Mandhana, Shafali Verma contributed to a quick 15 runs off Mithali Ayodhya’s over, taking the score to 40 without loss. The attacking partnership continued during the fifth over bowled by Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu, with Mandhana and Verma amassing 19 runs, including three sixes, as India reached 59 without loss.

By the end of the powerplay, India were 67 without loss, solidifying their position.

Mandhana reached her 37th T20I half-century on the second ball of the 10th over, also becoming the first woman cricketer to accumulate 11,000 international runs. However, shortly after, Chamudi Praboda dismissed Shafali for 48 runs from 29 balls, ending the 99-run opening partnership.

After 13 overs, captain Harmanpreet Kaur and Mandhana took India to 123 for one. The partnership was broken in the 15th over when Kavisha Dilhari dismissed Harmanpreet Kaur for 19 runs from 17 balls. India reached 142 for two at that point.

Runs continued as Richa Ghosh joined Mandhana, scoring 15 runs off Praboda’s 16th over, moving India to 157 for two. Mandhana was then dismissed by Sugandika Kumari on the fifth ball of the 17th over for 79 runs from 45 balls, with five fours and seven sixes, as the score stood at 163 for three.

Richa Ghosh maintained the momentum, hitting 14 runs off the following over from Kawya Kavindi, advancing the total to 182 for three. In the final over, Ghosh attacked Mithali Ayodhya, scoring 17 runs to help India set a challenging target.

India finished their innings at 216 for three, marking their highest women’s cricket total at the Asian Games. Ghosh remained unbeaten on 49 runs from 22 balls, including six fours and three sixes. For Sri Lanka, Chamudi Praboda, Kavisha Dilhari, and Sugandika Kumari each took one wicket.

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