Dubai: Shafali Verma and vice-captain Smriti Mandhana struck forceful fifties, while the bowlers under Sree Charani produced an equally intense effort as India crushed Sri Lanka by 72 runs to clinch a record-extending eighth women’s Asia Cup title here on Sunday.
Openers Shafali (68) and Mandhana (59) produced a symphony of power and grace during their stand of 129 in just 12.5 overs, guiding India to 183 for five in 20 overs.
The Lankans managed to rein in the opposition’s middle-order in the business end of the innings, but they were no match for the guile of Indian bowlers — led ably by left-arm spinner Charani (4/20) — ending up at 111 all out in 20 overs.
Coming into the match, India made one big change, leaving out Pratika Rawal for G Kamalini, but it was the opening duo that rose to the occasion. Verma and Mandhana, without a doubt, have been India’s best batters in the format over the last few years. And it showed on Sunday as the openers did not waste any time getting going.
Verma played the aggressor in the powerplay, taking India to 57/0 in six overs. Verma raced to her fifty in 24 balls and Mandhana caught up soon. She took on Nilakshika Silva for a six and a four, getting to her 36th fifty. Verma got out shortly after, Mandhana missed a chance to go for a century, thanks to a mix-up as she was run out.
Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, who promoted herself to No. 3, was joined by Richa Ghosh, and they tried to keep the momentum going.
However, Ghosh (17 off 13 balls) fell against the run of play, and so did Kaur and Bharti Fulmali. Kamalini, playing her first match of the tournament on her comeback, helped India finish strong with an unbeaten 5-ball 15. Brief scores: India 183/5 in 20 overs (Verma 68, Mandhana 59; Praboda 1/40) bt Sri Lanka 111 in 20 overs (Athapaththu 36; Sree Charani 4/20, Deepti 3/19).
