For two days, India hunted for gold at the Asian Games but managed only a handful of lesser medals, with the shooters collecting four silver medals and a bronze.The wait ended Tuesday, as India's women cricketers won the Games' first gold medal. India crushed Sri Lanka by a whopping 147 runs in the final at Nisshin.
Also read: Match highlights of India vs Sri Lanka final
India had secured gold in the event in the previous Asian Games at Hangzhou in China last September. It was a close affair, with Lanka so nearly chasing down India's total of 116/7, before falling short by 19 runs. But this time, Harmanpreet Kaur's side were in control from the start after winning the toss. Openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma gave a powerful start, amassing 99 in 10 overs. Smriti, who top scored with 46 in the Hangzhou final, yet again did the heavy lifting with a 45-ball 79. Shafali was unlucky to miss out on a half century after scoring 48 from 29.Harmanpreet could not stay longer, and Smriti perished while trying to keep the run rate up. Briefly, at least, it seemed India might fall short of a total of 200 that seemed very likely at the start. A little over a week ago, the Indian middle order had slipped up when it could not carry on the momentum provided by Shafali and Smriti in the Asia Cup final, also against Sri Lanka. India had posted 183/5 in Dubai and while it was more than enough in the end, with Lanka bowled out for 111, the present occasion demanded a better showing.Richa Ghosh ensured that India did not falter this time, with a power-packed 49 not out of just 22 balls. The wicket-keeper batter provided the firepower that not only guided India way past 200, it must have put out the Lankan dream even before the second innings had commenced. If the islanders still harboured any hope of a comeback, it was soon gone, with Shafali striking twice inside the powerplay. Chamari Athapaththu attempted to lead by example but fell for 29 off 21.Deepti Sharma was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 3/6, including a maiden from her four overs, while Shafali, Shreyanka Patil and Shree Charani claimed two wickets apiece. Kaushini Nuthyangana, the last wicket to fall, was the only Lankan batter to hit a six in the final. India, meanwhile, sent the ball flying over the boundary 13 times, with Smriti accounting for seven of those.Indian men will be hoping to make it a golden double when they begin their campaign in the quarterfinal stage next Monday.
Brief scores: India 216/3 in 20 overs (Smriti Mandhana 79, Richa Ghosh 49 not out, Shafali Verma 48) bt Sri Lanka 69 in 15.4 overs (Chamari Athapaththu 29, Deepti Sharma 3/6, Shreyanka Patil 2/9, Shree Charani 2/13, Shafali Verma 2/3)
Compiled by Arun George