Ruthless India destroy Sri Lanka’s dream for Gold. Final was a mismatch as Sri Lanka’s batters crumble in final. – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE. (eLanka Sports Editor).
Ruthless India destroyed Sri Lanka’s dream of winning Gold in a clinical demolition of a shellshocked and outclassed Island nation.
India who are one of the top three in the world in the T20 format, were too classy and accomplished for a clearly underwhelming opponent who were outplayed in every department of a one-sided Asian Games final in Nisshin, Japan.
Chasing the biggest target they were ever faced with, Sri Lanka’s batters wilted under the pressure of a mountainous task and were skittled for a paltry 69 in 15.4 overs, slumping to a heavy 147- run defeat.
India’s batters spearheaded by world number one ranked batter Smiriti Mandhana who sprayed Sri Lanka’s bowlers for a brilliant 79 off 45 balls, led a run spree saw them race to 216 for 3 in their allotment.
Mandhana was joined by Shafali Verma 48 off 29 balls and Richa Gosh 49 off 22 who had the Indians racing to an unassailable total.
India’s openers Mandhana and Verma figured in a 99-run opening stand before being parted off 10 overs.
It was followed by a 43 run partnership between Mandhana and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and when Mandhana departed with the total on 163 in 16.5 overs, the stage was set for a commanding total.
Richa Gosh picked up the gauntlet thereafter to have India racing to 216 for 3.
It set a demoralising chase against one of the best bowling attacks in women’s cricket.
All hope rested on Sri Lanka skipper Chamari Athapaththu whose experience was called upon to make it a contest.
But with all around her falling like ninepins, she was helpless in a futile pursuit. She top scored with 29 off 21 deliveries with just two others able to enter double figures in a disappointing batting effort.
India’s spinners has them in a web as none of the Sri Lanka batters apart from Athapaththu were upto countering a carefully hatched plan.
Athapaththu top scored with 29 off 21 but the rest were coralled and destroyed by a well drilled Indian attack as the crashed to a humiliating defeat.
The two teams have met in the past few weeks in the final of the Asia Cup and now at the Games in Nissen and the end result was no different in a one-sided contest.
India’s work ethic and superior strategy against a known opponent proved to be the difference as Sri Lanka return home with Silver and plenty of work to do to bridge the gap.
Jamie Siddons will have to up the ante in his search for answers to bridge the gap between the best and the rest.
Right now Sri Lanka may rest in the top eight in the world, a position that can be improved with more skill and work with bat and ball.
Thanks.eLanka team
