Aichi-Nagoya, Japan: India has opened its gold-medal account at the 2026 Asian Games in spectacular fashion, with the Indian women’s cricket team defeating Sri Lanka by 147 runs in the T20 final on Tuesday.
Led by Harmanpreet Kaur, the Indian team produced a dominant performance at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin. India posted a massive 216/3 after batting first before bowling Sri Lanka out for just 69 runs.
🔥 Mandhana, Shafali and Richa power India
Smriti Mandhana led the batting charge with a brilliant 79 off 45 balls, while Shafali Verma contributed 48 off 29 balls. The opening pair put together a 99-run partnership.
Richa Ghosh then provided a late burst, smashing an unbeaten 49 off just 22 balls, taking India to the highest-ever total in women’s cricket at the Asian Games.
Sri Lanka struggled badly during the chase, with India’s bowlers consistently taking wickets. The team was eventually dismissed for 69, giving India a huge 147-run victory.
🏆 Back-to-back Asian Games gold
The victory also means India has successfully defended its women’s cricket gold medal, having won the event at the previous Asian Games in Hangzhou.
It is also India’s first gold medal at the 2026 Asian Games and the country’s seventh medal overall at the Games so far.
The victory comes with another major milestone for Smriti Mandhana, who became the first woman cricketer to reach 11,000 international runs during her innings.
With the Asian Games continuing until October 4, India will now look to add more medals to its tally in the remaining events.
India’s women have made
