Ind W vs SL W Final Highlights, Asian Games 2023: Indian Women's Cricket Team Clinch Historic Gold Medal

Rajeshwari Gayakwad with the final over and she claims a wicket as well. Sugandika Kumari stumped and that’s that. INDIA BEAT SRI LANKA BY 19 RUNS TO WIN GOLD MEDAL IN WOMEN’S CRICKET . 

A clinical performance in the final by India. After winning the toss, they put up a good total on what would prove to be a tough wicket to bat on. Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana put her hand up with a patient 46 while Jemimah Rodrigues played second fiddle with 42. The Middle-order did cave in a bit but a score of 116 proved too much for Sri Lankan batters against the pace battery of Titas Sadhu and Pooja Vastrakar. Sadhu claimed three quick wickets including the big one of SL skipper Chamari Athapaththu early in the piece. SL did try to fightback courtesy Hasini Perera and Nilakshi de Silva’s peppy knocks, but the Indian spinners then took centerstage to keep SL hopes at bay and help India win the GOLD MEDAL in Indian cricket’s first-ever appearance at the Asian Games 2023.

Adios!!!!

Devika Vaidya adds one to her tally as well with Kavisha Dilhari top edging one straight up. Richa Ghosh completes the catch. Sri Lanka 92/7. India inch closer to victory. 25 needed off 6.  SL W 92/7 vs IND W (116/7) in 19 Overs (Priyadarshani 0*, Sugandhika 3*)

Deepa Sharma plucks out the last of the Sri Lankan hopes as Oshadi Ranasinghe is caught at short third man by Titas Sadhu for 19. 3 runs off the over. 30 runs required off the final 2 overs for SL.  SL W 87/6 vs IND W (116/7) in 18 Overs (Kavisha 2*, Sugandhika 0*)

Pooja Vastrakar brought into the attack and she claims the vital wicket of Nilakshi de Silva. De Silva tried to scoop a low full toss, but not to be as her stumps are disturbed. She goes for  a well-made 23. SL slump to 78/5, needing 39 to win from 23. Ranasinghe though is still fighting and she gets a FOUR in the over. 6 runs off the over. SL W 84/4 vs IND W (116/7) in 17 Overs (Kavisha 1*, Ranasinghe 19*)

Devika Vaidya on and Nilakshi de Silva is not going down fighting. She pulls out the est shot of the match – dancing down the track and inside out loft playing against the spin for a FOUR. 6 runs off the over.  SL W 74/4 vs IND W (116/7) in 15 Overs (Nilakshi 21*, Ranasinghe 12*)

Deepti Sharma with her third over and desperation clearly visible on SL approach now. Asking rate is over 7 now and both Ranasinghe and Nilakshi are searching for boundaries. Ranasinghe tries a reverse sweep and she breaches the infield to take a FOUR. 8 runs off the over.  SL W 68/4 vs IND W (116/7) in 14 Overs (Nilakshi 16*, Ranasinghe 12*)

Devika Vaidya continues with her leg breaks and Sri Lankan batters have little clue of what the leggie is bowling. Getting tough for them as Indian spinners apply the choke. 2 runs off the over. SL W 60/4 vs IND W (116/7) in 13 Overs (Nilakshi 15*, Ranasinghe 5*)

Deepti Sharma back in to the attack after the pasting she got at the hands of Chamari Athapaththu in the first over. Tidy over this time though. Just 4 runs off it.  SL W 58/4 vs IND W (116/7) in 12 Overs (Nilakshi 14*, Ranasinghe 4*)

Devika Vaidya, right-arm leg break, into the attack now and a tidy over. 4 runs off it. SL W 54/4 vs IND W (116/7) in 11 Overs (Nilakshi 13*, Ranasinghe 1*)

Rajeshwari Gayakwad continues and Sri Lanka finally get a move on. Hasini Perera is taking Gayakwad to the cleaners. A FOUR and A SIX, but it is Gayakwad who has the last laugh. Perera goes for another big shot but fails to clear Pooja Vastrakar at deep midwicket. SL W 50/4 vs IND W (116/7) in 10 Overs (Nilakshi 11*, Perera 25*)

Amanjot Kaur, right-arm fast medium, comes into the attack and Nilakshi de Silva climbs on to a good length delivery and gets a SIX over deep square leg. 6 runs off the over. SL W 38/3 vs IND W (116/7) in 9 Overs (Nilakshi 11*, Perera 13*)

Introduction of spin in the form of Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Left arm orthodox. And in her usual self she begins in a very tidy manner. Just three runs off it. She gets turn and bounce as well. Things are not going to get any easy for the SRi Lankan batters. SL W 32/3 vs IND W (116/7) in 8 Overs (Nilakshi 5*, Perera 13*)

Titas Sadhu with her third over and a tidy one at that. Just a single. She now has figures of 3-1-2-3. Just amazing!!!! SL W 29/3 vs IND W (116/7) in 7 Overs (Nilakshi 3*, Perera 12*)

Pooja Vastrakar with her third over on the trot and a fantastic delivery, takes Hasini Perera’s edge but beats everybody else. FOUR! – streaky. Next ball Perera answers back with a confidence booster shot – a pull towards square. Another FOUR!. Third FOUR of the over comes courtesy some demons on the pitch. Kicked off the length, takes the batter’s edge and flies past the keeper Richa Ghosh. That’s 13 runs off the over. SL W 28/3 vs IND W (116/7) in 6 Overs (Nilakshi 2*, Perera 12*)

Titas Sadhu is turning in a performance of a lifetime here. 3rd wicket for her and that too the skipper Chamari Athapaththu. That’s gotta count as at least three wickets on it’s own. Such is the impact of Athapaththu and her wicket. This match is practically done and dusted now. Sadhu banged one short and wide, Athapaththu freed her arms but the lack of pace meant she could not time it well and is caught at extra cover by  Deepti Sharma. 1 Run off the over. SL W 15/3 vs IND W (116/7) in 5 Overs (Nilakshi 1*, Perera 0*)

Pooja Vastrakar continues and just one run off it. Sri Lanka reeling here. SL W 14/0 vs IND W (116/7) in 4 Overs (Athapaththu 12*, Perera 0*)

The young pace sensation Titas Sadhu in to the attack and she has a wicket off the first delivery. Sanjeevni tries to go over the top, but does not connect at all, no foot movement and is caught in the ring by Harmanpret Kaur. Two balls later, she breaches the defence of Vishmi Gunaratne. 2 wickets in the over and a maiden at that.  SL W 13/0 vs IND W (116/7) in 3 Overs (Athapaththu 12*, Perera 0*)

Pooja Vastrakar into the attack and some uneven bounce for the pacer. Tough going for Sri Lankans in this over. Just 1 run off it.  SL W 13/0 vs IND W (116/7) in 2 Overs (Athapaththu 12*, Sanjeewani 1*)

Deepti Sharma opens the bowling for India with Chamari Athapaththu taking strike. At the non-striker’s end is Anushka Sanjeewani. And Athapaththu has made her intentions clear. A fantastic slog sweeps for SIX followed by FOUR towards third man with a delicate touch. 12 runs off it. Good start to the chase for the Lankans. SL W 12/0 vs IND W (116/7) in 1 Over (Athapaththu 12*, Sanjeewani 0*)

Left-arm seamer Udeshika Prabodhani to bowl the final over of the Indian innings and smartly Jemimah Rodrigues gets a boundary towards fine leg. but perishes nest ball, caught in from of square on the off side. Rodrigues’ innings comes to an end at 42 off 40 balls. Amanjot Kaur walks out to the middle with 4 deliveries remaining.  Wicket off the final delivery – a runout and guess who? it’s Sanjeevni. India finish with 116/7. They lost Shafali Verma early before a 72-run stand between Smriti Mandhana (46) and Jemimah Rodrigues (42) helped build a good foundation for the middle-order. But, the middle-order caved in trying to accelerate as the team lost five wickets for just 14 runs at the fag end of the innings. Ind W 116/7 vs SL W in 20 Overs

Sri Lankans limit the damage and how. India lose their fifth wicket as Pooja Vastrakar is caught in the deep. Left-arm orthodox Sugandha Kumari with the wicket. She changed her length watching Vastrakar stepping out and that did the trick. And an excellent running catch in the deep as well by Vishmi Gunaratne. All-round good stuff from the Lankans here. Jemimah Rodrigues is not getting much of the strike currently. Just 4 runs off the over. Ind W 110/5 vs SL W in 19 Overs (Rodrigues 38*, Deepti 1*)

Left-arm seamer Udeshika Prabodhani back into the attack and a very good over in the context of the match. Harmanpreet Kaur chases after a wide one and edges to the keeper. Another good catch from Sanjeewani behind the stumps. She is having a fantastic game. In walks another big-hitter, Pooja Vastrakar. 3 runs off the over. Ind W 106/4 vs SL W in 18 Overs (Rodrigues 37*, Vastrakar 1*) 

Inoka Ranaweera with her second wicket of the match. Richa Ghosh tries to lap a loopy delivery, toe end and good catch by the keeper Sanjeewani. Ghosh departs for 9 off 6. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur walks to the middle. Just three runs off it.  Ind W 103/3 vs SL W in 17 Overs (Rodrigues 36*, Harmanpreet 1*) 

Richa Ghosh, who has walked in ahead of the skipper Harmanpret Kaur, is clear on her role and she accelerates the scoring rate. She starts with a SIX over deep midwicket. Good over for India. 11 runs off it and 100 up for India as well. Ind W 100/2 vs SL W in 16 Overs (Ghosh 8*, Rodrigues 35*) 

Inoka Ranaweera with a successful over. Smriti Mandhana was targetting the legside boundary for a while now and she ends up slogsweeping one. There is not enough pace off the wicket and this one turned as well and Mandhana ends up top-edging one. Good catch taken by Prabodhani at the square leg. Mandhana perishes for 46 off 44.  Ind W 89/2 vs SL W in 15 Overs (Ghosh 0*, Rodrigues 33*)  

Inoshi Priyadharshani back for her third over and Rodrigues and Mandhana are looking comfortable in the middle. 5 runs off the over. Ind W 86/1 vs SL W in 14 Overs (Mandhana 45*, Rodrigues 31*)

Inoka Ranaweera continues, and life for Smriti Mandhana. she tries to sweep but top edges it. Fortunately for her, the ball falls in no man’s land. India trying to shift gears now. Rodrigues gets room and she drills one drive towards deep extra cover. FOUR!. Mandhana gets a long-hopper and she swirls to get a FOUR in front of square. 12 runs off the over. Ind W 81/1 vs SL W in 13 Overs (Mandhana 42*, Rodrigues 29*)

Kavisha Dilhari back for her 2nd over and it seems she has injured her hand while bowling and CHamari Athapaththu will complete her over. A full toss to Smriti Mandhana and she puts it away for a FOUR!. 7 runs off the over. Ind W 69/1 vs SL W in 12 Overs (Mandhana 36*, Rodrigues 23*)

Inoka Ranaweera, another left-arm orthodox bowler, into the attack. A good tidy over. 3 runs off it. Ind W 62/1 vs SL W in 10 Overs (Mandhana 29*, Rodrigues 23*)

Another bowling change, off-spinner Kavisha Dilhari into the attack. Jemimah Rodrigues muscles one past the in-field to take a FOUR off last delivery. 7 runs off it. Ind W 59/1 vs SL W in 10 Overs (Mandhana 27*, Rodrigues 22*)

Chamari Athapaththu continues and a genuine edge is too fast for the wicketkeeper. FOUR fine of third man. 6 runs off the over.  Ind W 52/1 vs SL W in 9 Overs (Mandhana 25*, Rodrigues 17*)

Oshadi Ranasinghe back into the attack and Jemimah Rodrigues takes the ariel route. FOUR! towards the midwicket region. Quick single follows and Smriti Mandhana takes a tumble. Her bat gets stuck to the flap of her pads. She is fine though and takes a fresh guard. 5 runs off the over. Ind W 46/1 vs SL W in 8 Overs (Mandhana 24*, Rodrigues 12*)

The skipper brings herself on. Chamari Athapaththu with her spin and 6 runs off the over. Ind W 41/1 vs SL W in 7 Overs (Mandhana 24*, Rodrigues 7*)

Smriti Mandhana sweeps and sweeps well! FOUR behind the wicket but Sugandika Kumari has done well to keep Mandhana quiet. No place for Mandhana to work with. Good ploy by the Sri Lankans. But, Mandhana decides to talk things in to her hands. Dances down the track and hoists one over the top and gets a SIX! 12 runs off the over.  Ind W 35/1 vs SL W in 6 Overs (Mandhana 20*, Rodrigues 5*)

Inoshi Priyadharshani in to her second over. Jamimah Rodrigues gets some width and leans into a drive, but the outfield is sluggish and she gets only two runs for the beautiful shot. Mandhana rotating the strike well. 6 runs off the over. Ind W 23/1 vs SL W in 5 Overs (Mandhana 9*, Rodrigues 5*)

Another bowling change, and another spinner! This is Sugandika Kumari, Left arm orthodox. And the pressure gets to Shafali Verma. WICKET Verma tried to break the shackles and steps out trying to hit one over the infield, but she misses the length completely and is stumped for 9. Successful over comes to an end. 4 runs off the over.  Ind W 17/1 vs SL W in 4 Overs (Mandhana 7*, Rodrigues 1*)

Right-arm off break bowler Inoshi Priyadharshani into the attack and she is troubling Shafali Verma. A Near chance at short extra cover as Shafali hits one uppishly. But she survives and couple of LBW calls also in the over. It’s a Maiden! Ind W 13/0 vs SL W in 3 Overs (Shafali 8*, Mandhana 5*)

Left-arm pacer Udeshika Prabodhani into the attack and she drifts one down the leg. Shafali Verma steps out and helps the ball towards the square boundary for her first FOUR of the match. Prabodhani comes back well in the over. 7 runs off over.  Ind W 13/0 vs SL W in 2 Overs

Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma are out in the middle. And it is Mandhana who is taking strike against off-spinner Oshadi Ranasinghe. Mandhana off the mark with a single off the second delivery. Shafali too off the mark with a single – a gentle push towards mid-on. Mandhana with a gorgeous cover drive earns the first boundary of the match. Ind W 6/0 vs SL W in 1 Over

India Women XI: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur(c), Richa Ghosh(w), Deepti Sharma, Devika Vaidya, Amanjot Kaur, Pooja Vastrakar, Titas Sadhu, Rajeshwari Gayakwad

Sri Lanka Women XI: Chamari Athapaththu(c), Anushka Sanjeewani(w), Vishmi Gunaratne, Nilakshi de Silva, Hasini Perera, Oshadi Ranasinghe, Inoka Ranaweera, Kavisha Dilhari, Udeshika Prabodhani, Sugandika Kumari, Inoshi Priyadharshani