Asian Games 2023: India Clinch Historic Gold In Cricket As Women's Team Beat Sri Lanka In Final

Indian women's cricket team made history in the Asian Games 2023, clinching the gold medal in their first-ever participation at the quadrennial event.

The Indian women's cricket team made history in the Asian Games 2023 on Monday as Harmapreet Kaur & Co. defeated Sri Lanka by 19 runs in the final. In what was the Indian cricket team's first-ever participation in the Asian Games' cricketing events, the women's team claimed the top podium spot after producing a fine all-round effort. Though cricket has been a part of the Asian Games in 2010 and 2014, neither the men's nor the women's Indian team had participated in the event.

Batting first, Harmanpreet's girls put 116 runs on the board for the loss of 7 wickets. With the ball, India put a stunning display on the 22-yard strip, restricting Sri Lanka to just 87/8. Titas Sadhu was the pick of the bowlers for India, bagging 3 wickets for just 6 runs in 4 overs.

As for the match, the Indian team elected to bat first after winning the toss, that marked the return of Harmanpreet Kaur after 2-match suspension. After the early dismissal of Shafali Verma, opener Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues rebuilt the innings.

Inoka Ranaweera gave SL the much-needed breakthrough, getting rid of Smriti for 46 off 45 balls with four boundaries and a six. India was 89/2 in 14.5 overs and the 73-run stand between Mandhana-Rodrigues was over.

That wicket caused a collapse in the Indian innings as except for Rodrigues, who scored 42 in 40 balls with five fours, no other batter could stand tall against the Lankan side. India ended their innings at 116/7 in 20 overs.