India alter winning combination for Asia Cup final vs Sri Lanka; Gunalan Kamalini replaces Pratika Rawal
toi
newspoint|16-09-2026
India captain Harmanpreet Kaur won the toss and elected to bat first against Sri Lanka in the Women’s Asia Cup 2026 final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
India have made their first change of the tournament, bringing Gunalan Kamalini into the playing XI in place of Pratika Rawal. Kamalini gets her first opportunity in this edition of the Asia Cup and will play only her second T20I for India.
The change comes after India fielded an unchanged XI in their opening four matches.
India aim for record eighth Asia Cup title
Both India and Sri Lanka have remained unbeaten on their way to the final, although India have looked the more dominant side throughout the tournament. The Women in Blue have produced strong performances across batting, bowling and fielding, with Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma leading the run-scoring charts for India.
With the ball, Deepti Sharma and Shree Charani have been among India's standout performers, claiming 11 and eight wickets respectively. India are chasing a record-extending eighth Asia Cup title, having previously won four editions in the ODI format and three in T20Is.
Sri Lanka rely on Athapaththu and Dilhari
Sri Lanka have also reached the final unbeaten but have not been as consistent with the bat. Captain Chamari Athapaththu has managed just 63 runs from four innings, and Sri Lanka will need their top order to step up against India's strong bowling attack.
Kavisha Dilhari has emerged as another key player for the defending champions and will be expected to contribute with both bat and ball in the title clash.
India Women Playing XI: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Gunalan Kamalini, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Bharti Fulmali, Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Prema Rawat, Shree Charani, Kranti Gaud, Nandani Sharma
Sri Lanka Women Playing XI: Chamari Athapaththu (c), Imesha Dulani, Vishmi Gunaratne, Hasini Perera, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Kavisha Dilhari, Nilakshika Silva, Kaushani Nuthyangana (wk), Sugandika Kumari, Chamudi Praboda, Mithali Ayodhya
India have made their first change of the tournament, bringing Gunalan Kamalini into the playing XI in place of Pratika Rawal. Kamalini gets her first opportunity in this edition of the Asia Cup and will play only her second T20I for India.
The change comes after India fielded an unchanged XI in their opening four matches.
India aim for record eighth Asia Cup title
Both India and Sri Lanka have remained unbeaten on their way to the final, although India have looked the more dominant side throughout the tournament. The Women in Blue have produced strong performances across batting, bowling and fielding, with Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma leading the run-scoring charts for India.
With the ball, Deepti Sharma and Shree Charani have been among India's standout performers, claiming 11 and eight wickets respectively. India are chasing a record-extending eighth Asia Cup title, having previously won four editions in the ODI format and three in T20Is.
Sri Lanka rely on Athapaththu and Dilhari
Sri Lanka have also reached the final unbeaten but have not been as consistent with the bat. Captain Chamari Athapaththu has managed just 63 runs from four innings, and Sri Lanka will need their top order to step up against India's strong bowling attack.
Kavisha Dilhari has emerged as another key player for the defending champions and will be expected to contribute with both bat and ball in the title clash.
India Women Playing XI: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Gunalan Kamalini, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Bharti Fulmali, Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Prema Rawat, Shree Charani, Kranti Gaud, Nandani Sharma
Sri Lanka Women Playing XI: Chamari Athapaththu (c), Imesha Dulani, Vishmi Gunaratne, Hasini Perera, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Kavisha Dilhari, Nilakshika Silva, Kaushani Nuthyangana (wk), Sugandika Kumari, Chamudi Praboda, Mithali Ayodhya
