India's women's cricket team delivered a commanding all-round performance in Nisshin, Japan on 22 September 2026 to retain the Asian Games gold medal, demolishing Sri Lanka by 147 runs in the final. The victory, built on a record-breaking batting display and clinical bowling, sees India defend the title they claimed in the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games.

Record-Breaking Total Sets Up Demolition

India posted a stunning 216/3 — the highest total in the history of women's Asian Games cricket and the highest score in any women's T20 final — shattering the previous Asian Games record of 202/4 set by Hong Kong against Mongolia at the 2023 Hangzhou Games. The previous women's T20 final record of 210, set by Brazil against Spain earlier this year, also fell.

Smriti Mandhana was the chief architect, stroking a brilliant 79 off 45 balls — laced with seven sixes and five fours — to anchor the innings. Shafali Verma provided a blazing start with 48 off 29 balls, while wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh unleashed a late assault of 49 off 22 deliveries, herself registering a new record for the highest individual score in women's Asian Games cricket history.

Bowlers Complete a Comprehensive Victory

Chasing 217, Sri Lanka were bundled out for just 69, with India's attack maintaining pressure throughout the chase. Deepti Sharma was the stand-out bowler, returning figures of 3 wickets for 6 runs. Shafali Verma, Sree Charani, and Shreyanka Patil each claimed 2 wickets. Sri Lanka's top scorer was Chamari Athapaththu with 29 off 21 balls, but her lone effort could not halt India's dominance as wickets fell at regular intervals.

Richa Ghosh: 'A Completely Different Feeling'

'It feels really good, I am very happy. And obviously, when you have a gold medal, there is a completely different feeling, and I am feeling really good,' Richa Ghosh said after the win. The 21-year-old, who has become a match-finisher of repute for India, delivered precisely when her side needed acceleration, helping push the total beyond the previous record.

Shreyanka Patil Had Visualised the Gold

All-rounder Shreyanka Patil revealed that she had mentally rehearsed this moment even before the final began. 'I was very excited before this game. I was already thinking that I'm going to wear the gold medal because I love manifesting and visualising. So, yeah, very happy and grateful to be wearing this gold medal and standing on the podium,' she said.

Shreyanka, who contributed both with the ball and in the field, said the occasion was deeply personal. She planned to call her parents immediately after the match — noting that they are invariably glued to the television whenever India play. She also expressed enthusiasm for exploring Japanese cuisine during the team's stay in Nisshin, declaring a particular fondness for sushi.

India's Unbroken Asian Games Reign

This gold extends India's unbeaten record in women's cricket at the Asian Games, with the side having also claimed the title at the previous edition in Hangzhou — again defeating Sri Lanka in the final. The back-to-back gold marks a statement of dominance in Asian women's cricket, coming off the back of consistent ICC performances. With the squad brimming with multi-format talent, India's grip on continental honours looks set to continue.