The Indian women’s team failed to lift their eighth Asia Cup title as they lost the final of the 2024 edition against Sri Lanka on Sunday at Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, Dambulla.
On a slow pitch, the Indian batters found it difficult to adjust to the conditions. The likes of Shafali Verma (16 off 19), Uma Chetry (9 off 7), and Harmanpreet Kaur (11 off 11) failed to hit the straps as India couldn’t get the start they needed.
However, Smriti Mandhana stayed resilient and ensured that runs kept coming from one end. She played a brilliant knock under pressure and guided the team to a competitive score on the board.
Mandhana amassed 60 runs in just 47 balls, a knock which included 10 fours. She found able support from Rodrigues, who contributed 26 off 19 balls.
Later, a late flourish from Richa Ghosh (30 off 14) propelled the team to a respectable score of 165 at the end of the first innings. As for Sri Lanka’s bowling, Kavisha Dilhari was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 2 for 36.
Chamari Athapaththu, Vishmi Gunaratne took the India bowling attack to cleaners
Indian bowlers made an attacking start in the second innings. Courtesy of a miscommunication, Vishmi Gunaratne got out for just 1 run off three balls. Sri Lanka had managed 28 runs in the first five overs.
However, Chamari Athapaththu broke loose by hitting 2 sixes and a four off Tanuja Kanwar in the sixth over. She shifted gears and put the pressure back on the Indian bowlers.
Athapaththu found an able supporter in Harshitha Samarawickrama, who took a measured approach at the other end. The duo stitched an 87-run partnership for the second wicket before the skipper departed off Deepti Sharma in the 12th over.
Once again, in a crucial game, Chamari Athapaththu stepped up and played a heroic knock for his team. She amassed 61 off 43 at a strike rate of 141.86. Kavisha Dilhari walked out and took the Indian attack to the cleaners.
Striking at 187.50, Kavisha Dilhari played an unbeaten knock of 30 off 16 deliveries. On the other hand, Harshita anchored the chase with an unbeaten 69-run knock in 51 deliveries. Courtesy of those contributions, Sri Lanka chased down the score in 18.4 overs with eight wickets in hand.
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