‘A splendid triumph for Indian cricket’ – PM Modi congratulates women’s team on Asian Games gold

India’s women’s cricket team won gold at Asian Games 2026 after defeating Sri Lanka in the final on Tuesday, September 22. The team secured victory by 147 runs in a commanding performance that marked India’s first gold medal at this edition of the Games.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the team on their achievement, highlighting the quality of India’s display and the impact the victory would have on young cricketers across the country.

“A splendid triumph for Indian cricket! Heartiest congratulations to our Women’s Cricket Team on winning the Gold medal at the Asian Games. It was a commanding performance at the Games, marked by confidence, skill and wonderful teamwork. This victory also brings India its first Gold of this edition of the Games. The team has made the nation proud and will inspire countless young cricketers across the country. Best wishes to the entire squad,” Modi wrote on X.

India’s batting performance in the final

India posted 216 for 3 in their innings, setting a target that proved beyond Sri Lanka’s reach. Smriti Mandhana was the standout performer with the bat, scoring 79 off 45 deliveries. Shafali Verma contributed 48 off 29 balls, providing a solid foundation for the innings. Richa Ghosh remained unbeaten on 49 off 22 balls, accelerating the scoring in the final overs.

India’s total of 216 for 3 set a new record as the highest team total ever recorded in women’s cricket at the Asian Games. The batting display showcased the depth and skill available in the Indian lineup, with multiple players making significant contributions to the final score.

Mandhana’s historic milestone

Mandhana’s 79-run knock was her 37th half-century in T20 international cricket. The innings marked a historic personal milestone for the batter, as she became the first woman cricketer to reach 11,000 runs in international cricket across all formats.

Sri Lanka were bundled out for 69 in 15.4 overs, unable to mount any meaningful challenge to India’s total. The bowling attack was led by Deepti Sharma, who took 3 wickets for 6 runs. Shafali Verma and Shreyanka Patil each claimed 2 wickets, while Shree Charani picked up 2 wickets as well. The collective bowling effort restricted Sri Lanka to a total that was 147 runs short of India’s score.

The 2026 final saw India deliver a dominant performance, with both batting and bowling units functioning at their peak.