India’s women’s cricket team defeated Sri Lanka in the final on Tuesday at Karogi Athletic Park in Nisshin, Aichi, to win the gold medal at the Asian Games 2026. Muzumdar told reporters following the game, “I think this is going to be the norm if we put our best foot forward and play to our potential.” India repeated their win from the gold medal match in Hangzhou in 2023, extending their reign as Asian Games champions by a score of 147 runs.
India set a record at the continental showcase with 216 for three wickets. Richa Ghosh stayed undefeated on 49 off 22 deliveries, Shafali Verma contributed 48, and Smriti Mandhana scored 79 off 45 balls with five fours and seven sixes. After that, Deepti Sharma claimed three for six as Sri Lanka was dismissed for 69. Shreyanka Patil, Shree Charani, and Shafali Verma each claimed two wickets.
The gold medal victory was hailed as a “surreal feeling” by Amol Muzumdar, who has had an excellent tenure as head coach of India.Winning gold here at the Asian Games and starting India’s journey is a great feeling. There’s nothing greater. Being on the winning side is amazing, in my opinion. This team has extremely high skill levels. Muzumdar told reporters following the game, “I think this is going to be the norm if we put our best foot forward and play to our potential.”
Amol Muzumdar on winning a gold medal
India won its first gold medal at the Asian Games in 2026 and won the women’s cricket championship for the second time in a row. Mandhana became the first female cricket player to surpass 11,000 runs in all international formats with her 79-run innings, marking her 37th half-century in T20 internationals.
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Deepti Sharma, who gave only six runs in four overs while taking three wickets in the final, expressed her happiness at the accomplishment.We have always been competing for prizes, so earning the gold medal has doubled our happiness. We won the gold medal at the Asian Games both this year and the previous time. The most important thing is that this is 2026’s first gold medal; what could be more delightful? Thus, we’re having fun,” Deepti remarked.
The response and thoughts of Deepti Sharma
The all-rounder admitted that Sri Lanka posed a formidable challenge, but he also recognized India’s capacity to rule when their strategies were carried out successfully. Prior to the Olympics, where cricket will be a part of the schedule, Deepti emphasized that India’s confidence would be bolstered by the Asian Games victory. She added an emotional element to the team’s continental accomplishment by dedicating the gold medal to her mother.
The triumph followed India’s 72-run victory over Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup 2026 final earlier in September, showcasing the team’s reliable success against the same opponent in several 2026 competitions.
