India vs Sri Lanka LIVE: Smriti falls for 79; India rely on Richa to continue momentum
India and Sri Lanka renew their rivalry in the women’s cricket final at the Asian Games as they meet in the gold-medal match for the second consecutive edition. India defeated Sri Lanka in the final at Hangzhou in 2023.
India will be hoping to continue their dominant display in the tournament that featured a campaign-opening eight-wicket victory over hosts Japan before producing an even more emphatic 114-run win over Bangladesh in the semifinal. Sri Lanka have also enjoyed a strong run through the competition. They overcame Malaysia by 86 runs in the quarterfinal and followed that with a commanding eight-wicket victory over Pakistan in the last four. The two teams also faced each other recently in the Asia Cup final in Dubai on September 13, where India came out on top, securing a 72-run victory.
Openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma gave India a powerful start after India won the toss and opted to bat. Shafali fell for 48, with India on 99. India's total crossed 150 in the 16th over.
Key Updates
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Smriti falls on 79; India lose third wicket
Sugandika Kumari has delivered the big wicket for Lanka by removing Smriti Mandhana for 79. The stylish opener trying to go big on the onside but gifted a catch to Dilhari. She had lifted Chamudi Praboda for a six on the same side of the ground the previous over.
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Dilhari strikes; Harman walks after making 19
In their effort to continue the momentum, skipper Harman lost her wicket, with Kavisha Dilhari delivering the wicket for the Lankans. It was pitched up outside off and Harman sliced her effort, giving Athapaththu an easy catch in the deep. Richa Ghosh has arrived.
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No stopping Smriti, she's into 70s and India cross 130
Dilhari was keeping it tight, but Smriti found a way, getting one past short fine leg to keep the Indian run rate hover around 10. She then climbed into the 70s with a six off Kavindi. Skipper Harman followed it up with a four as India got to 131/1 in 14 overs.
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Skipper joins Smriti; slight dip in run rate
Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur has joined Smriti in the middle. The run rate has witnessed a slight dip, but India should aim for a total better than 183/5 they posted in the Asia Cup final just nine days ago.
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Sri Lanka make the breakthrough!
Shafali Verma misses out on a well-deserved half-century, falling for 48 as Sri Lanka finally break the opening partnership.
India finish the 10th over at 99/1, with Sri Lanka finally finding a way into the contest
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Smriti brings up 50
India vice-captain Smriti Mandhana reaches her half-century in style, bringing up 50 with five sixes and three fours at a strike rate of 168.87. It is her 37th fifty in T20 cricket. -
Shafali keeps the boundaries coming!
Shafali continues her attacking approach, finding the gap at point and beating the fielder to pick up another four. Dilhari gives away 10 runs in the seventh over, with India’s scoring rate now up to
Dilhari concedes 10 runs in the seventh over, with India’s scoring rate now to 11 runs per over.
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Run fest for India
The reigning champions have made a flying start, reaching 67/0 after six overs. Smriti Mandhana is unbeaten on 39, while Shafali Verma is on 29 as India remain firmly in control.
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Shafali joins the party. India 59/0 in 5 overs
Shafali Verma had made a modest start but has found her rhythm with consecutive sixes off Chamari Athapaththu. India have hit the 50-run mark inside 5 overs.
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Smriti Mandhana on fire
Smriti Mandhana has made a powerful start. She's raced to 30 off 15, with India posting 40/0 in 3.4 overs
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The gold-medal clash at the 2026 Asian Games is underway in Nisshin
India openers Mandhana and Shafali will start their innings, while Sri Lanka’s Sugandika will bowl the first over.
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Sri Lanka’s Playing XI for the Asian Games gold medal match
Imesha Dulani, Chamari Athapaththu (captain), Hasini Perera, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Kavisha Dilhari, Hansima Karunaratne, Kaushani Nuthyangana (wicketkeeper), Mithali Ayodhya, Kawya Kavindi, Chamudi Praboda, Sugandika Kumari
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India’s Playing XI for the Asian Games gold medal match
Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Bharti Fulmali, Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Richa Ghosh (wicketkeeper), Gunalan Kamalini, Deepti Sharma, Shreyanka Patil, Shree Charani, Nandani Sharma, Kranti Gaud
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India win the toss and opt to bat
India captain Harmanpreet Kaur has won the toss, and her side will bat first in Nisshin.
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