Smriti Mandhana’s 79 Helps India Win Asian Games Cricket Gold

Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail

India defeated Sri Lanka by 147 runs in the women’s cricket gold medal match at the Asian Games on Tuesday, securing their second consecutive gold medal in the event.

Smriti Mandhana played a key role in the victory with a powerful 79 off 45 balls as India posted the highest women’s total in Asian Games cricket history.

India Post Record Total

India finished their 20 overs at 216-3 after captain Harmanpreet Kaur chose to bat first.

Mandhana struck seven sixes and five fours during her innings, leading India’s strong start alongside Shafali Verma.

The opening pair added 99 runs before Verma was dismissed for 48 off 29 balls while attempting a reverse sweep.

Mandhana reached her half-century in the same over and continued attacking the Sri Lankan bowlers before being dismissed in the 17th over with India on 163.

Harmanpreet contributed 19 runs before being caught at long-off.

Richa Ghosh then produced a late-innings surge, scoring 49 from just 22 balls with six fours and three sixes. She helped India cross the 200-run mark in the final over.

Sri Lanka Struggle in Run Chase

Sri Lanka never managed to build momentum in their chase.

Captain Chamari Athapaththu top-scored with 29, but the rest of the batting lineup struggled against India’s bowling attack.

Sri Lanka were eventually bowled out for 69 in 15.4 overs, handing India a comprehensive 147-run victory.

The result gave India their second straight women’s cricket gold medal at the Asian Games.

Pakistan Secure Bronze Medal

Earlier in the day, Pakistan defeated Bangladesh by 31 runs in the bronze medal match.

Pakistan captain Fatima Sana played an important innings after her team slipped to 67-5 in the 12th over.

Sana scored 45 from 30 balls, hitting three fours and three sixes, and helped Pakistan reach 145-8 from their 20 overs.

She added 67 runs with Aliya Riaz, who made 25, in a crucial sixth-wicket partnership.

Bangladesh managed 114-7 in reply, allowing Pakistan to claim the bronze medal.