Underdogs Sri Lanka women outplayed India to win 1st ever Asia Cup

 


Underdogs Sri Lanka shock India in the Asia Cup final. The Indian women's team could not win their seventh Asia Cup title. Sri Lanka emerged as champions by defeating Harmanpreet Kaur's team in the final. Previously, Sri Lanka had been runners-up five times. This is their first title win. India batted first and scored 165 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in 20 overs. Sri Lanka chased down the target with 8 balls to spare, losing only 2 wickets. India's bowling and fielding were subpar in the final.


After winning the toss, Harmanpreet decided to bat first. Although India's opening pair started well, they couldn't post a big score. Especially, Shafali Verma struggled to score quickly, making 16 runs off 19 balls before getting out lbw to a contentious decision . Smriti Mandhana, the other opener who was dropped early ,  scored a half-century. Number 3 Uma Chettry got lbw cheaply .  Harmanpreet failed with the bat again, getting out for 11 runs.


In the later stages, Mandhana was supported by Jemimah Rodrigues and Richa Ghosh. The trio pushed the team's total past 150. Mandhana scored 60 runs off 47 balls before getting out. Jemimah added a breezy  29 runs off 16 balls, and Richa scored a powerpacked 30 runs off 14 balls. India finished with 165 runs for 6 wickets in 20 overs.


Sri Lanka's chase did not start well as Gunaratne was run out in the second over due to a terrible misunderstanding with her captain . However, Chamari Athapaththu held the innings together. The Sri Lankan captain played another superb half-century innings picking and choosing balls to hit , supported very well by Harshitha Samarawickrama. The duo put up an 87-run partnership.


India's bowling was ineffective in this match. They couldn't contain Sri Lanka, nor could they take wickets regularly. Catches were also dropped. Athapaththu scored 61 runs before getting out bowled by Deepti Sharma round her legs , but that didn't hinder Sri Lanka's march towards victory. Harshitha and Kavisha Dilhari added 73 runs for the third wicket and never hesitated to play big shots as the Indian bowling came under pressure & looked ragged . Player of the match Harshitha scored a breathtaking half-century and remained unbeaten with 69 runs in 41 balls , while Kavisha scored a quickfire 30 runs and ended the match with a 6 off Vastrakar in the 19th over . Sri Lanka won the match by 8 wickets, reaching the target in 18.4 overs.


The big crowd was roaring all along as Sri Lanka team was marching towards the target and after the winning run was hit the crowd & the Sri Lankan team went berserk . Chamari Athapaththu for her 304 runs & 3 wickets was the player of this Asia Cup but nothing must have gave her more satisfaction than winning  the final .

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