By D. W. G. Kalani Tharanga, JadeTimes News
Dominant Batting Performance by Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka’s women’s cricket team made history by winning their first Women’s T20 Asia Cup title, defeating India by eight wickets in a gripping final. Chasing a challenging target of 166, Sri Lanka exhibited remarkable composure and skill, achieving the target in just 18.4 overs with eight balls to spare. Chamari Athapaththu and Harshitha Samarawickrama were the standout performers, with Athapaththu scoring a fluent 61 and Samarawickrama remaining unbeaten on 69. Their partnership was instrumental in steering Sri Lanka to victory, showcasing a blend of aggressive stroke play and strategic pacing.
India, who opted to bat first after winning the toss, posted a competitive 165 for 6. Smriti Mandhana anchored the innings with a solid 60 off 47 balls, featuring ten boundaries. Richa Ghosh provided a quick fire 30, but India’s innings faltered after losing early wickets. Shafali Verma and Uma Chetry departed soon after the powerplay, disrupting India’s momentum. Despite these setbacks, Mandhana’s resilience helped India reach a defendable total. However, Sri Lanka’s disciplined chase overshadowed India’s efforts, marking a significant achievement for Sri Lankan women's cricket.
Key Contributions and Strategic Insights
The final match was not just a display of batting prowess but also highlighted the strategic depth and resilience of both teams. India’s journey to the final was marked by an aggressive brand of cricket, with the team excelling in all three departments. Harmanpreet Kaur’s leadership, combined with consistent performances from top order batters and middle order hitters like herself and Richa Ghosh, set the tone for India’s campaign. In the semi final, Renuka Singh’s three wicket burst and Mandhana’s brisk fifty epitomized India’s dominance as they overpowered Bangladesh by ten wickets.
Sri Lanka, on the other hand, relied heavily on their captain Chamari Athapaththu, the tournament’s highest run scorer with 223 runs. Her semi final heroics against Pakistan, where she scored a well paced 63, were crucial in securing Sri Lanka’s place in the final. Anushka Sanjeevani’s unbeaten 24 further strengthened their chase. Despite being underdogs, Sri Lanka’s determination and strategic acumen shone through, particularly in how they handled pressure situations and capitalized on key moments.
While India had a superior head to head record against Sri Lanka in WT20Is, with 19 wins out of 24 matches, Sri Lanka’s victory in the final underscored the unpredictable and thrilling nature of T20 cricket. The contributions from bowlers like Deepti Sharma and Renuka Singh, who were among the leading wicket takers in the tournament, highlighted India’s strength. However, Sri Lanka’s balanced approach and effective utilization of their resources in the final match proved decisive.
The Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, hosting the entire Women’s Asia Cup, saw teams favoring chasing, with nine out of 14 matches won by teams batting second. This trend continued in the final, with Sri Lanka expertly navigating their chase to emerge victorious. The venue, known for its balanced surface aiding both pacers and spinners, provided an ideal stage for the thrilling finale.
In summary, the Women’s T20 Asia Cup final was a testament to the evolving competitive landscape of women’s cricket. Sri Lanka’s historic win, powered by outstanding individual performances and strategic excellence, marks a new chapter in their cricketing journey, while India’s formidable campaign highlights the growing strength and depth in women’s cricket across the region.
