Xtra Time Web Desk: Indian women’s cricket team successfully defended 116 runs against Sri Lanka to clinch gold in the women’s cricket final in the ongoing Asian Games 2023 on Monday. Batting first India women posted 116/7 with Smriti Mandhana (46 off 45) and Jemima Rodrigues (42 off 40) key contributors. Defending 116 runs, it was young Bengal pacer Titas Sadhu who ripped apart the Sri Lankan top order as her spell read 4-1-6-3. None of the Sri Lankan batters looked confident against the disciplined Indian bowling. This is the first-ever gold for India in cricket at the Asian Games.
Harmanpreet Kaur, who was back leading the side after serving a two match ban, won the toss and elected to bat first. India’s innings got off to a rocky start when opener Shafali Varma was dismissed by Sugandika Kumari. However, Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues steadied the ship with a crucial partnership of 73 runs. Mandhana scored 46 runs, just short of a half-century, while Rodrigues contributed 42 runs.
Unfortunately for India, the other batsmen couldn’t provide much support, and they finished their innings at 116 for 7 in 20 overs. Sri Lanka’s Udeshika Prabodhani, Sugandika Kumari, and Inoka Ranaweera took two wickets each.
In the second innings, India’s bowlers came out strong, taking early wickets and putting Sri Lanka under pressure. Titas Sadhu was particularly effective, picking up three wickets for just six runs. Sri Lanka’s Hasini Perera and Nilakshi de Silva tried to stage a comeback with a 36-run partnership, but they ultimately fell short, ending their innings at 97 for 8 in 20 overs.
With this victory, India secured their second gold medal at the Asian Games 2023.
Here is the video of winning moment from the final: