Women's Asia Cup 2026: India stars mentor Hong Kong China after 137-run win
Synopsis
After thrashing Hong Kong China by 137 runs in the 2026 Women's Asia Cup, India's players did something rarely captured on camera — they invited the opposition into their dressing room for a genuine mentoring session. Mandhana, fresh off a record-breaking 124, Deepti Sharma, Harmanpreet Kaur, and others shared bowling tips, signed jerseys, and swapped shirts in a display of sportsmanship that went well beyond the scoreboard.
Key Takeaways
India defeated Hong Kong China by 137 runs in the 2026 Women's Asia Cup on 4 September in Dubai , booking a semi-final berth.
Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana scored a stunning 124 , extending her records for most runs and most centuries in women's international cricket.
Hong Kong China players were invited into the Indian dressing room for tactical exchanges, jersey signings, and discussions on bowling and preparation.
Deepti Sharma discussed bowling variations with opposition spinners; Harmanpreet Kaur autographed match balls and swapped jerseys with captain Natasha Miles .
India face Pakistan next on Saturday ; Hong Kong China meet the Fatima Sana -led side on Monday .
The Indian women's cricket team turned their 2026 Women's Asia Cup dressing room into a masterclass on 4 September in Dubai, inviting Hong Kong China players in for an extended session of tactical exchanges, jersey swaps, and autograph signings after a dominant 137-run victory that booked India's place in the semi-finals.
A Win Built on Mandhana's Brilliance
The match itself was headlined by a stunning 124 from vice-captain Smriti Mandhana, who now holds records for the most runs and most centuries in women's international cricket. The performance underscored India's status as the continent's premier women's cricketing force, and set the tone for the generous spirit that followed in the dressing room.
What Happened in the Dressing Room
Members of the Hong Kong China squad were welcomed into the Indian dressing room at the close of play, where they sought technical guidance from their more experienced counterparts. Smriti Mandhana addressed the visiting players in a light-hearted huddle outside the dressing room, before off-spin bowling all-rounder Deepti Sharma was seen signing jerseys and discussing bowling variations and practice strategies with opposition spinners.
Elsewhere, wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh, alongside Bharti Fulmali, Nandni Sharma, Pratika Rawal, Sree Charani, Prema Rawat, Renuka Singh Thakur, and Shafali Verma, held extended conversations on preparation routines and the demands of international competition.
Captains Lead the Goodwill
The session featured a notable personal exchange between the two captains, Harmanpreet Kaur and Natasha Miles. Harmanpreet autographed match balls and signed a match shirt for Hong Kong's Maryam Bibi before completing a traditional jersey swap with Natasha. Both squads then gathered for a joint group photograph to mark the occasion.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) captured the moment on its social media accounts, writing: 'A memorable post-match catch-up in the dressing room with a lot of smiles, learnings and pictures,' alongside a video of the interaction.
What's Next for Both Sides
India will next face arch-rivals Pakistan on Saturday, a high-stakes contest that will test the form Mandhana and company have built through the tournament. Hong Kong China, meanwhile, are set to meet the Fatima Sana-led side on Monday. The goodwill generated in Dubai's dressing room may be short-lived on the field — but for associate cricket, moments like these carry long-term developmental value.
Point of View
But it points to something structurally important: associate nations rarely get direct access to elite players outside of match conditions. India's willingness to open the dressing room — with Mandhana, Deepti, and Harmanpreet all actively engaging — is the kind of informal knowledge transfer that ICC development programmes struggle to replicate formally. For Hong Kong China, a side still building its women's programme, an hour with India's best is worth more than most coaching clinics. Whether the BCCI institutionalises such exchanges or this remains a one-off gesture of goodwill is the question worth asking.
NationPress
4 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened after India's Women's Asia Cup match against Hong Kong China?
After defeating Hong Kong China by 137 runs in Dubai on 4 September 2026, the Indian women's team invited their opponents into the dressing room for a mentoring session involving tactical discussions, jersey swaps, and autograph signings. The BCCI shared a video of the interaction on its social media accounts.
How did Smriti Mandhana perform in the match?
Smriti Mandhana scored a brilliant 124 in the match, a knock that also extended her records for the most runs and most centuries in women's international cricket. Her innings was central to India's 137-run victory.
Who were the captains involved in the jersey swap?
India captain Harmanpreet Kaur and Hong Kong China captain Natasha Miles exchanged jerseys after the match. Harmanpreet also autographed match balls and signed a shirt for Hong Kong's Maryam Bibi.
Which Indian players participated in the post-match dressing room session?
Among those who participated were Smriti Mandhana, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh, Bharti Fulmali, Nandni Sharma, Pratika Rawal, Sree Charani, Prema Rawat, Renuka Singh Thakur, Shafali Verma, and captain Harmanpreet Kaur.
What are India's next fixtures in the 2026 Women's Asia Cup?
India are scheduled to face arch-rivals Pakistan on Saturday. Hong Kong China, meanwhile, will play the Fatima Sana-led side on Monday.
