Deepti Sharma credited the record-breaking 129-run opening partnership between Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana for propelling India to a commanding 183/5 in the Women's T20 Asia Cup 2026 Final against Sri Lanka at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on 13 September 2026. The all-rounder said the total was right in the range the team had targeted, and India now look to their bowling attack to defend it.

India's Target and Batting Blueprint

Speaking after the first innings, Deepti revealed the team's pre-match goal. 'We were looking for 180 or 190, because it's a good wicket to bat on. Today it's a slightly better pitch, and credit goes to both the openers, how they played in the first six overs, and how they accelerated in the first 10 overs. It's good to see,' she said.

The openers delivered precisely that platform. Shafali Verma blazed 68 off 39 balls, reaching her fifty in just 24 balls — the fastest half-century in Asia Cup history — before Mandhana complemented her with a composed 59 off 39 deliveries. Their unbroken stand of 129 runs off the first wicket had India firmly in control at the halfway mark of the innings.

Record-Breaking Partnership

The 129-run stand is now the highest opening partnership in the history of any Women's T20 final, eclipsing the previous record of 120 runs set by Hayley Matthews and Stafanie Taylor in the 2016 ICC Women's T20 World Cup final against Australia. It also surpassed the previous Women's T20 Asia Cup record for any wicket — a 128-run stand shared by Jemimah Rodrigues and Deepti herself against the UAE in 2022.

Notably, Shafali's blistering fifty rewrote the Asia Cup record books in the most high-stakes game of the tournament — a testament to her ability to produce under finals pressure.

Sri Lanka's Fightback and Late Fireworks

After India raced to 129/0, Sri Lanka staged a partial recovery in the back half of the innings. Bowlers Chamari Athapaththu, Mithali Ayodhya, and Chamudi Praboda picked up wickets, while both Mandhana and Deepti were dismissed via run-outs as India slipped to 167/5. However, a cameo from Kamalini — 15 off 5 balls, including a four and a six off the last two deliveries — helped India plunder 16 off the final over to reach their formidable total.

India's Bowling Strategy for the Chase

Deepti underscored that the powerplay will be decisive in the second innings as well. 'It's quite important. We are looking for a few wickets in the early stage. That's going to [give] the momentum,' she said. She also noted that the pitch's batting-friendly nature means India's bowlers will need to be disciplined, adding: 'Today is a different wicket to bat on, but we have a good bowling side. I'm looking forward to it.'

The atmosphere at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium has added to the occasion, with a large crowd backing the Women in Blue. 'It's great whenever the fans come and support. It brings the energy,' Deepti said. With the target set, India's bowling unit will now determine whether the 2026 Women's T20 Asia Cup title returns to Indian hands.