India vs Sri Lanka final highlights: India women win by 19 runs, clinch first-ever gold

Titas Sadhu and Rajeshwari Gaikwad were India's pick of the bowlers as India has defeated Sri Lanka by 19 runs to clinch gold medal in Asian Games 2023.

With 30 required of the last 2 overs, India's Women team will be high on confidence and will think that they might have sealed the gold medal. 
 

Player of the match from the previous game, Pooja Vastrakar was called by skipper Harmanpreet Kaur to get her important breakthrough and she did deliver and bowled  Nilakshi de Silva in the first delivery.

Sri Lanka require - 34 off 20 deliveries

Devika back for her second over. Nilakshi skies one which lands just short of deep mid wicket and picks up a single. Ranasinge sweeps one down to find leg to rotate the strike.

IND - 60/4 after 13 overs

Hasini Perera decided to go after Rajeshwari Gayakwad as she smashed a six and a four in consecutive deliveries but the Indian spinner had a last laugh as she bowled a slower one, Hasini went for a big sweep again but this time, the top edge carried to Vastrakar at deep square leg. Hasini goes for 25.

SL - 50/4 after 10 overs.

Hasini Perera and Nilakshi de Silva have formed a steady partnership for the 4th wicket and Sri Lanka requires 79 runs in 66 balls to clinch gold medal in Asian Games 

After a solid start in the 1st over, Sri Lanka lost 2 wickets in the next 2 overs with Anushka Sanjeewani and Vishmi Gunaratne losing their respective wickets. All eyes will now be on the skipper Chamari Athapaththu to take the team over the line.

SL - 13/2 after 3 overs

Deepti Sharma to bowl the first over. SIX!!! Chamari sweeps one big and it goes all the way over cow corner. FOUR!!! Chamari with a late cut to finish the over. Perfect start to the chase for Sri Lanka.

Indian women's team was looking all set to post a target between 135-140 but Harmanpreet Kaur led side failed to gain momentum in the last 5 overs and managed to score just 26 runs and lost 6 wickets. Sri Lanka would be happy with the target. Be back shortly.

Team India has lost 2 back-to-back wickets as Richa Ghosh's short stay at the crease comes to an end. India - 103/3 after 17 overs

India vs Sri Lanka final, Asian Games 2023: Back-to-back setbacks for Team India as Harmanpreer Kaur departs

Team India has lost 3 back-to-back wickets as Richa Ghosh's short stay at the crease comes to an end. India - 105/4 after 17 overs

Inoka Ranaweera has finally broken the 2nd wicket partnership as she dismissed Smriti Mandhana for 46. Mandhana decided to go over the ropes but the ball went straight into the air and Prabodhani took an easy catch. Richa Ghosh comes in to bat at number 4.

India - 89/2 after 15 overs

India vice-captain Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues are dealing in singles and doubles, ensuring India's scoreboard keeps on ticking on pitch, which is not really helping the batters. IND - 81/1 after 13 overs

After the early setback of Shefali Verma, Mandhana-Rodriguez have formed form a steady partnership and have now taken Team India's score above 50. The pitch is a turner so 130-140 should be a good score.

IND - 50/1 After 8.2 overs

3rd maiden over proved to be costly for Team India as Shafali Verma decided to take on Sugandika Kumari in the 4th over but Sugandika cleverly pushed it through and cramped her for room on the shot, past the inside edge and Sanjeewani was quick to break the stumps, with Shafali stranded out of the crease.

India - 23/1 after 5.2 overs

Shafali Vaerma and Smriti Mandhana have provided a steady start to the Indian team as India has scored 13 runs for no loss after 3 overs. Stay updated for live social updates.

India vs Sri Lanka final, Asian Games 2023: Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana will open the Indian innings in the final and Oshadi Ranasinghe starts with the bowl.

India Women have won the toss and have opted to bat. BCCI has also wished women in blue luck to clinch the gold.

Wishing #TeamIndia @BCCIWomen the very best as they take on Sri Lanka in the the all-important final of the Asian Games shortly. Let's rally around them as they set their sights on the historic gold medal. 🥇 #AsianGames2022

— BCCI (@BCCI) September 25, 2023

Here's India's and Sri Lanka's playing XI

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

Here's our Predicted XI for final

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

Sri Lanka Women: Chamari Athapaththu (c), Anushka Sanjeewani (wk), Harshitha Samarawickrama, Vishmi Gunaratne, Hasini Perera, Nilakshi de Silva, Kavisha Dilhari, Inoka Ranaweera, Achini Kulasuriya, Udeshika Prabodhani, Inoshi Priyadharshani

The weather forecast predicts a cloudy conditions in Hangzhou on Monday with only 20 percent chances of rain. The maximum temperature will be 31°C with 75 percent of humidity and the wind speed will be 11 km/h.

The pitch at Pingfeng Cricket Field has produced a number of low-scoring matches in this tournament. But with one side has a pretty short boundary, it can be a high-scoring venue. Batting and bowling will be even on this venue while the team that wins the toss will look to bowl first.

Though India and Bangladesh suffered a washout in their respective encounters in the quarter-finals, they qualified for the semi-finals based on higher seeding. India eased pass Bangladesh and will be eyeing for Gold medal.

Ahead of the all-important final match, Team India received a huge boost as skipper Harnmanpreet Kauyr is expected to make a comeback in the playing XI after not being able to play initial 2 games.

In the thrilling final showdown, India holds a significant advantage in their head-to-head record against Sri Lanka in women's T20 Internationals. Out of the 23 T20I matches played between the two teams, India has emerged victorious 18 times. This statistic adds to the anticipation and excitement surrounding this encounter.