Riding on a record-breaking opening partnership between Shafali Verma (68 runs) and Smriti Mandhana (59 runs), and the spin of Deepti Sharma (4 wickets) and Shree Charani (3 wickets), the Indian women’s cricket team lifted the Asia Cup 2026 title. India defeated Sri Lanka by a massive 72 runs in the final to lift the Asia Cup trophy for the eighth time. With this, the Harmanpreet Kaur-led team avenged their 2024 final defeat to Sri Lanka.

Women’s Asia Cup 2026: India became champions thanks to explosive half-centuries from Shafali and Smriti, thrashing Sri Lanka by 72 runs.

Openers’ storm: Record partnership of 129 runs

After winning the toss and opting to bat first, the Indian team got off to an aggressive start with Shefali Verma and Smriti Mandhana.

Shefali put pressure on the Sri Lankan bowlers from the very beginning and completed her half-century in just 24 balls. This is the fastest half-century in the history of the Women’s T20 Asia Cup. Shefali scored 68 runs in 39 balls with the help of 9 fours and 2 sixes. On the other hand, Smriti Mandhana played an innings of 59 runs in 39 balls. The two made a century partnership of 129 runs for the first wicket, which is a new record for the highest partnership for any wicket in the history of the Women’s T20 Asia Cup.

Despite a sluggish middle order, India made 183.

After the opening pair’s dismissal, the Indian middle order once again struggled to maintain the run rate.

Captain Harmanpreet Kaur was dismissed for 14. After scoring 130 runs in 13 overs, the Indian team could only add 53 runs in the final seven overs, losing three wickets. Despite this, India set a strong target of 183 runs in the stipulated 20 overs.

Indian spinners wreak havoc: Sri Lankans bundled out for 111 runs

Chasing a target of 184, the Sri Lankan team appeared under pressure from the start.

Kranti Goud provided the early breakthrough, dismissing Imesha Dulani for 4 runs. The spin duo of Deepti Sharma and Sri Charani then completely dismantled the Sri Lankan middle order. Deepti Sharma took 4 wickets, while Sri Charani dismissed 3 batsmen. The entire Sri Lankan team was all out for 111 runs in 20 overs.

India’s historic win in numbers

• 8th title: India has played the finals in every one of the 10 Women’s Asia Cup editions held so far and has won the trophy for the 8th time.
• 6th century partnership: This was the 6th century partnership between Shafali and Smriti in T20 Internationals, which equals the world record.
• 72-run win: This is one of the biggest wins in Asia Cup final history by run margin.