PM Modi hails Women's Asia Cup triumph, India win record 8th title
Synopsis
India's women dismantled Sri Lanka by 72 runs to claim a record eighth Women's Asia Cup title — avenging their 2024 final loss in emphatic style. Shafali Verma's 24-ball fifty, the fastest in tournament history, and a four-wicket haul by Shree Charani made this one of India's most complete final performances. PM Modi's congratulatory post on X reflected the scale of the national moment.
Key Takeaways
India won the Women's Asia Cup 2026 , their record eighth title , defeating Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the final on 13 September 2026 .
PM Narendra Modi congratulated the team on X , calling it 'a proud moment for Indian cricket.' Shafali Verma smashed 68 off 39 balls and hit the fastest half-century in Women's Asia Cup history — off just 24 deliveries .
Smriti Mandhana scored 59 off 39 balls ; the two put on a record 129-run opening stand .
Shree Charani took 4 for 20 and Deepti Sharma claimed 3 for 19 to dismiss Sri Lanka for 111 .
This was India's sixth Asia Cup final win over Sri Lanka across formats, including the 2004 edition.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, 14 September 2026 congratulated the Indian women's cricket team on clinching the Women's Asia Cup for a record-extending eighth time, calling it a 'proud moment for Indian cricket.' India had defeated Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the final on Sunday to lift the trophy.
Modi's Message to the Champions
Taking to X, Prime Minister Modi wrote: 'A proud moment for Indian cricket! Congratulations to the Women's team on winning the Asia Cup. Their confidence, consistency and remarkable spirit were on full display throughout the tournament. May this triumph inspire millions of youngsters across the country to play more and shine.'
The message underscored the national significance of the victory, with the Prime Minister spotlighting the team's mental fortitude and sustained performance across the tournament.
India Avenge 2024 Final Defeat
The Women in Blue exacted revenge for their 2024 Asia Cup final loss to Sri Lanka, extending their dominance over the Lankan side in Asia Cup finals. This was India's sixth win over Sri Lanka in Asia Cup final encounters — counting both the T20 and ODI formats, including the 2004 edition when India defeated Sri Lanka 5-0 in the two-team tournament format.
This win cements India's position as the most successful nation in Women's Asia Cup history, and the manner of victory — a comprehensive 72-run margin — left little doubt about the gulf in class on the day.
Shafali and Mandhana's Record Stand
Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana set the platform for the win with a record 129-run opening partnership. Shafali blazed 68 off 39 balls and struck the fastest half-century in Women's Asia Cup history, reaching the milestone off just 24 deliveries. Mandhana contributed a composed 59 off 39 balls before Sri Lanka clawed back in the middle overs.
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur fell for 14 at No. 3, while Richa Ghosh was dismissed for 17. G Kamalini, playing her first match of the tournament, chipped in with a brisk 15 off 5 balls to give India a strong finish. The total of 183/5 proved more than adequate.
Bowlers Seal the Deal
Shree Charani was the standout with the ball, claiming 4 wickets for 20 runs, while Deepti Sharma took 3 wickets for 19 runs. Sri Lanka were bowled out for 111, with Chamari Athapaththu top-scoring with 36 and Nilakshika Silva making 22.
The Indian bowling attack smothered Sri Lanka's chase from the outset, keeping them well within the team's reach at every stage. Notably, this is the second time in three editions that India's bowlers have restricted Sri Lanka under 120 in a final.
Brief Scores
India 183/5 (Shafali Verma 68, Smriti Mandhana 59; Mithali Ayodhya 1-33) beat Sri Lanka 111/10 (Chamari Athapaththu 36, Nilakshika Silva 22; Shree Charani 4-20, Deepti Sharma 3-19) by 72 runs.
With the record eighth title now in their cabinet, India's women's team will look to carry this momentum into upcoming international assignments — and the cricketing world will be watching closely.
Point of View
Suggesting a batting template that opponents currently have no reliable answer to. Yet the more revealing story is in the bowling: Charani and Deepti between them took seven wickets for under 40 runs, a combination that has been quietly maturing through domestic circuits. The real question is whether this platform translates into consistent ICC knockout performances — the one frontier where India's women's team has historically fallen short despite Asia Cup dominance.
NationPress
14 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many times has India won the Women's Asia Cup?
India have now won the Women's Asia Cup a record eight times, with the 2026 title being their most recent. The 2026 win also extended their unbeaten run against Sri Lanka in Asia Cup finals to six matches across formats.
What did PM Modi say about India's Women's Asia Cup win?
PM Modi posted on X: 'A proud moment for Indian cricket! Congratulations to the Women's team on winning the Asia Cup. Their confidence, consistency and remarkable spirit were on full display throughout the tournament.' He added that the triumph should inspire youngsters across the country.
Who were the top performers in the 2026 Women's Asia Cup final?
Shafali Verma top-scored with 68 off 39 balls, including the tournament's fastest fifty off 24 deliveries. Smriti Mandhana made 59 off 39 balls, and the pair put on a record 129-run opening stand. With the ball, Shree Charani took 4 for 20 and Deepti Sharma 3 for 19.
By how many runs did India beat Sri Lanka in the 2026 Women's Asia Cup final?
India beat Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the final, posting 183/5 and bowling Sri Lanka out for 111. It was a comprehensive win that avenged India's 2024 Asia Cup final defeat to the same opponents.
Who picked up the most wickets for India in the final?
Shree Charani was India's leading wicket-taker with 4 wickets for 20 runs, while Deepti Sharma supported with 3 wickets for 19 runs. Together they dismantled Sri Lanka's batting lineup to seal the 72-run victory.
