India win 1st gold of Asian Games 2026 with 147-run win over Sri Lanka in final

The Harmanpreet Kaur-led India won the country’s first gold medal at the Asian Games 2026 with a commanding 147-run win over Sri Lanka in the final. Smriti Mandhana's 79-run knock followed by Richa Ghosh's unbeaten 22-ball 49 helped India post a huge total of 216/3 on the board. Indian bowlers were clinical in their approach and bundled out their opponents for 69 to win the gold medal. Chamari Athapaththu-led Sri Lanka settled for a silver medal.

Mandhana, Shafali, Richa wreak havoc 

At Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin, on September 22, Harmanpreet won the toss and opted to bat first. Mandhana took the mantle to attack. She hit Sugandika Kumari for two consecutive sixes in the third over. In the fifth over, Shafali Verma hit Sri Lanka skipper Chamari Athapaththu for two consecutive sixes. India were 67 for no loss after powerplay overs. In the 10th over, Mandhana reached her 37th T20I half-century from 30 deliveries. In the same over, Shafali missed out on a fifty as she was dismissed by Chamudi Praboda for a 29-ball 48 including three fours and as many sixes. The openers shared a 99-run partnership.

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Skipper Harmanpreet joined Mandhana in the middle. Harmanpreet lost her wicket for a 17-ball 19 to Kavisha Dilhari. Richa Ghosh was promoted up the order and started attacking in the slog overs. In the 17th over, Sugandika dismissed Mandhana. The opener returned to the dressing room with a 45-ball 79 featuring five fours and seven sixes. In the 18th over, Shafali hit Kawya Kavindi for two fours and a six. Bharti Fulmali couldn't accelerate. In the final over, Richa hit Mithali Ayodhya for two sixes and a four. Mithali conceded 25 runs in the final over as India posted 216/3. Richa's unbeaten 22-ball 49 featured six fours and three sixes.

Sri Lanka collapse in run chase

In the run chase, Imesha Dulani got a reprieve as her catch was put down by Shreyanka Patil. However, she couldn't do muchg with the bat and fell to Shafali for three runs from 10 balls. Chamari looked to keep up with the scoring rate but lacked support from the other end. Shafali struck again, dismissing Hasini Perera for a three-ball duck. At the end of powerplay overs, Sri Lanka were 41/2. Deepti Sharma was introduced into the attack and she delivered with Chamari's wicket. The skipper scored 29 runs from 21 balls including five fours. When she fell, Sri Lanka were 43/3.

Shreyanka was handed the ball and she dismissed Harshitha Samarawickrama caught and bowled for a two-ball duck. Shree Charani joined the party with Hansima Karunaratne's wicket. Wickets kept tumbling and Sri Lanka were bowled out for 69 in 15.4 overs. Deepti bagged three whereas Shafali, Shreyanka and Shree claimed two wickets each. India won the match by 147 runs to win their second consecutive gold at the cricket event. Meanwhile, Pakistan beat Bangladesh in the bronze medal match.