Sri Lanka emerged victorious in the Women’s Asia Cup 2024, defeating India by eight wickets in a thrilling final at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium. Despite India’s strong performance in the group stage and semi-final against Bangladesh, Sri Lanka outplayed them in the high-stakes match. Key performances from Chamari Athapaththu and Harshitha Samarawickrama ensured Sri Lanka’s triumph in the tournament.

India sets a challenging target

After being asked to bat first, India posted a competitive total of 165 for six in their allotted 20 overs. Smriti Mandhana, continuing her stellar form from the semi-final, laid a solid foundation with a superb knock of 60 off 47 balls, featuring 10 boundaries. Mandhana’s 44-run opening partnership set the tone for India’s innings.

However, the middle order struggled as Uma Chetry and Harmanpreet Kaur failed to make significant contributions. Despite these setbacks, Jemimah Rodrigues and Richa Ghosh steadied the ship. Rodrigues scored a quickfire 29 off 16 balls, while Ghosh added 30 off 14 balls, ensuring India maintained their momentum. Kavisha Dilhari was the standout bowler for Sri Lanka, with figures of 4-0-36-2, while Udeshika Prabodhani, Sachini Nisansala, and Chamari Athapaththu each took a wicket.

Sri Lanka’s chase: A blend of stability and aggression

Sri Lanka’s run chase got off to a shaky start with Vishmi Gunaratne being run out early. However, Athapaththu and Samarawickrama anchored the innings, forming a crucial 87-run partnership for the second wicket. Athapaththu, who scored over 300 runs in the tournament, reached her half-century off just 32 balls, showcasing her aggressive intent.

Deepti Sharma provided a breakthrough for India, bowling Athapaththu around her legs for 61 off 43 balls. Despite this setback, Sri Lanka needed 72 runs off the final eight overs. Samarawickrama took charge, remaining unbeaten with a composed 69-run knock. Dilhari played a vital supporting role, contributing an unbeaten 30 off 16 balls. This ensured Sri Lanka reached the target with eight balls to spare, ending their four-match losing streak against India in the Women’s Asia Cup finals.

Historic Women’s Asia Cup 2024 title

This victory marked Sri Lanka’s resurgence in the Women’s Asia Cup, with their only other non-Indian winner being Bangladesh in 2018. The win not only showcased Sri Lanka’s cricketing prowess but also highlighted their ability to perform under pressure. The final was a testament to their skill and determination, as they outclassed a formidable Indian side to claim the prestigious title.

Here’s how Fans reacted:

#cricket #TestCricket #ENGvWI Stumps on day two, West Indies 33-2, still 61 adrift. An incredible batting turnaround orchestrated by Root, Stokes, Smith and Woakes and then a fine mini-session with the ball (could easily have been more than two wickets) and England are in control

— Thomas Sutcliffe (@aspitweets) July 27, 2024

What a match‼️🇱🇰 Sri Lanka Women are the CHAMPIONS of the Asia Cup 2024! 🏆 A historic win against India. Huge congratulations to the entire Sri Lankan team for this incredible achievement. India Women, you fought bravely and were fantastic runners-up.#AsiaCup2024 #SLvIND pic.twitter.com/0ljwGk9ZNY

— Vimukthi Dushantha 🇱🇰 (@IamVimukthi) July 28, 2024

How bloody good Sri Lanka!

A packed house desperate to get behind a cricket team again in Dambulla watch their women bring home #AsiaCup2024 🏆

Over the moon for Chamari and the team. What a result and with a #T20WorldCup around the corner 🙌

— Daniel Beswick (@DGBeswick1) July 28, 2024

Sri Lanka women team showing they are not only one-player team … showing the talent other than Chamari Athapaththu … #AsiaCup2024

— Shahid Hashmi (@hashmi_shahid) July 28, 2024

🏆 Historic Victory! Sri Lanka women’s team clinches their first ever Asia Cup title, defeating India 🇱🇰🏏 pic.twitter.com/vdl2736pBk

— Azzam Ameen (@AzzamAmeen) July 28, 2024

What a win. Thought it would be close but this is a canter. Incredible effort from the @OfficialSLC women. What a moment for Sri Lanka. @58Chamari , Harshitha and Kavisha and the team you have made history. pic.twitter.com/yEsMz7rdyj

— Kumar Sangakkara (@KumarSanga2) July 28, 2024

Sri Lanka is the first team in the women’s T20I history to successfully chase a 150plus target in the tournament final. #AsiaCup2024

— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) July 28, 2024

don’t mind SL winning Asia Cup because of the growth they have had in the past 6 months. but i do mind the way in which we have lost this game. sloppy fielding, feeding all the SL batters short balls, and not showing ANY sign of fight when the opponent came so focused. terrible

— s (@_sectumsempra18) July 28, 2024

Harmanpreet Kaur, your 171* against Australia was great, but that was seven years ago. The team can’t keep carrying the weight of that one innings forever. Your captaincy has failed. Time to step down and let someone else lead.#AsiaCup

— Kuch Bhi!!!! (@KirkutExpert99) July 28, 2024

Sri Lanka women lift their first ever Asia Cup trophy by defeating India in the final 🏆👏#women #cricket #INDvSL #ChamariAthapaththu #SriLankaCricket #CricketTwitter #WomenCricket pic.twitter.com/aSdY7ISISz

— WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ) July 28, 2024

SRI LANKA ARE CHAMPIONS OF ASIA…!!!!

– This is for Captain Chamari Athapaththu. 🫡 pic.twitter.com/dm9iZsh0ga

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) July 28, 2024

This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.

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