India reclaim Women’s Asia Cup crown after hammering Sri Lanka in final in Sylhet

India won their 7th Women’s Asia Cup title, asserting its dominance in the continental competition. Smriti Mandhana’s rapid fifty was the highlight of a one-sided final in Sylhet on Saturday, October 15.

Smriti Mandhana, Renuka Singh fire India to 7th Asia Cup crown (Courtesy: Asian Cricket Counil)

By India Today Web Desk: India came up with a dominant performance in the Women’s Asia Cup 2022 final against Sri Lanka, hammering the islanders by 8 wickets in a one-sided match in Sylhet on Saturday, October 15. India won their 7th Women’s Asia Cup crown, proving that the 2018 final defeat to Bangladesh was only a blip in their continental success story.

Smriti Mandhana was the star of the show on a dry pitch in Sylhet as the vice-captain showcased some stunning stroke-making skills. Smriti hit 51 off just 25 balls and sealed India’s win with a six.

Women’s Asia Cup Final 2022: Highlights

Sri Lanka were not able to repeat the heroics of the men’s team which won the Asia Cup crown, beating Pakistan earlier in September in the UAE.

It was a dominant show from India, who bounced back from their only defeat in the Women’s Asia Cup 2022 to Pakistan as they registered a dominant win over Thailand in the semi-final before outclassing Sri Lanka in the final.

The win for India was set up by right-arm pacer Renuka Singh, who decimated the Sri Lankan top-order. Chamari Athapaththu’s side, who were playing their first final in 14 years, got off to a horror start as they lost their captain for 6 as early as the 3rd over to a run-out. Panic set in early as Sri Lanka also lost fellow opener Anushka Sanjeewani to a run-out.

Renuka’s 3-wicket haul in the powerplay meant Sri Lanka were reduce to 16 for 5 at the end of the powerplay. Sri Lanka, at one stage, looked like they would get bowled out before reaching 50 but spinner Inoka Ranaweera hit 18 runs from 22 balls to take Sri Lanka to 65 for 9 in 20 overs.

“Very happy because the last few games I didn’t bowl well. I practiced with my coach and the staff and they really helped me get back my rhythm. Just focussed on my basics and got success,” Player of the Match, Renuka said.

SMRITI HITS 25-BALL FIFTY

In reply, India got off to a stunning start with Smriti putting the pressure straightaway on Sri Lanka bowlers. However, opener Shafali Verma and in-form Jemimah Rodrigues threw away their wickets while trying to attack the Sri Lankan spinners.

Smriti, however, did not take the foot off the gas as she continued her onslaught and helped India gun down 66 in just 8.2 overs.

India had different heroes stepping up in different matches as they won 7 out of their 8 matches in Women’s Asia Cup 2022.

Jemimah Rodrigues finished as the top-scorer in the tournament with 217 runs in 8 matches. Shafali hit 166 runs in just 6 matches while Smriti Mandhana took her tally past 100 in the final (134) with the blistering fifty.

Deepti Sharma and Inoka Ranaweera shared the top spot on the bowling charts with 13 wickets each.