President Murmu hails India's record 8th Women's Asia Cup triumph
Synopsis
India's women didn't just win the 2026 Asia Cup — they made history doing it. An unbeaten run through the tournament, a record-eighth title, revenge for their 2024 final loss to Sri Lanka, and Shafali Verma's fastest fifty in Asia Cup history all in one afternoon — and President Murmu took to X to call them an inspiration for India's daughters.
Key Takeaways
India won the Women's T20 Asia Cup 2026 for a record-extending eighth time , defeating Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the final.
Shafali Verma (68 off 39) and Smriti Mandhana (59 off 39) shared a record 129-run opening stand ; Shafali hit the tournament's fastest ever fifty off 24 balls .
Shree Charani claimed 4/20 and Deepti Sharma took 3/19 as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 111 .
India went through the entire tournament unbeaten , avenging their 2024 final defeat to Sri Lanka.
President Droupadi Murmu congratulated the team on X, calling the players a 'great inspiration' for India's youth, especially young girls.
President Droupadi Murmu on Monday, 14 September 2026 congratulated the Indian women's cricket team on clinching the Women's T20 Asia Cup 2026 title, calling the players a source of 'great inspiration' for the country's youth, particularly young girls. India won the championship for a record-extending eighth time, defeating Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the final on Sunday.
President Murmu's Message
In a post on X, President Murmu said, 'My heartiest congratulations to all the members of Team India on winning Women's T20 Asia Cup Championship 2026. They played superbly as a team throughout the tournament, winning all the matches. They have done the country proud.' She further added, 'They are a source of great inspiration for our youth, especially our daughters. I am sure, they will script many more inspiring chapters of success and excellence.'
India's Dominant Final Performance
The Women in Blue put up a commanding batting display, posting 183/5 in their allotted overs. Openers Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana produced a record 129-run partnership for the first wicket, laying the foundation for the total. Shafali blazed 68 off 39 balls, which included the fastest half-century in Asia Cup history — reached off just 24 deliveries. Mandhana complemented her with a composed 59 off 39 balls.
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur fell for 14 at No. 3, and Richa Ghosh was removed for 17. However, G Kamalini, playing her first match of the tournament, chipped in with a brisk 15 off 5 balls to help India post a strong total despite a Sri Lankan fightback in the latter overs.
Bowlers Seal the Chase
Sri Lanka never found a foothold in the chase, eventually bowled out for 111. Shree Charani was the pick of the Indian bowlers with 4 wickets for 20 runs, while Deepti Sharma chipped in with 3 wickets for 19 runs. Chamari Athapaththu top-scored for Sri Lanka with 36, but the chase never gained real momentum against a disciplined Indian attack.
Historic Rivalry and Context
The victory also served as sweet revenge for India's 2024 Asia Cup final defeat to Sri Lanka. This was India's sixth win against Sri Lanka specifically in Asia Cup finals across formats, including the 2004 edition when India swept Sri Lanka 5-0 in a two-team tournament. India went through the entire 2026 tournament unbeaten, underscoring their dominance in the regional format.
Brief Scorecard
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 their record-eighth title secured, India will look to carry this momentum into upcoming bilateral series and the global calendar, as women's cricket in the country continues to grow in stature and viewership.
Point of View
Something that matters when BCCI funding and broadcast rights for the women's game remain disproportionately smaller than the men's circuit. India winning every match in the tournament is also a reminder that Asia Cup dominance has become structural, not episodic, yet the real global test — the Women's T20 World Cup — is where this batting depth and bowling variety will face a sterner audit. Shafali Verma's record fifty is the headline, but the emergence of G Kamalini in a pressure finish and Shree Charani's four-wicket haul suggest a deeper bench than India fielded even two years ago.
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 their latest triumph coming in the 2026 edition on 13 September 2026, when they defeated Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the final.
What did President Murmu say about India's Women's Asia Cup win?
President Droupadi Murmu posted on X to congratulate the team, saying they 'played superbly as a team throughout the tournament, winning all the matches' and called them a 'source of great inspiration for our youth, especially our daughters.'
Who were India's top performers in the 2026 Women's Asia Cup final?
Shafali Verma top-scored with 68 off 39 balls, including the fastest half-century in Asia Cup history off 24 deliveries, while Smriti Mandhana made 59 off 39. With the ball, Shree Charani took 4/20 and Deepti Sharma claimed 3/19.
Did India go through the 2026 Women's Asia Cup unbeaten?
Yes, India won all their matches in the 2026 Women's Asia Cup, completing an unbeaten run through the tournament before their 72-run win over Sri Lanka in the final.
What is the significance of India's 2026 Asia Cup win against Sri Lanka?
The victory was India's sixth win over Sri Lanka in Asia Cup finals across formats, and it also avenged India's defeat to Sri Lanka in the 2024 Women's Asia Cup final. It is the sixth time in Asia Cup final history that India have beaten Sri Lanka.
