Shafali Verma and Smirti Mandhana flay Sri Lanka as India cruise to eighth Asia Cup victory.
India’s bowlers strangle Sri Lanka’s run chase for emphatic 72-run win.
BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE.
(eLanka Sports Editor)
Shafali Verma and Smirti Mandhana smashed Sri Lanka out of contention as India coasted to a comprehensive 72-run victory in the final of the Asia Cup in Dubai.
India’s batting mainstays took control of Sri Lanka’s attack belting them to a 139- run opening stand that set them on course for an unassailable total.
India’s spinners then took control with their better variation to strangle Sri Lanka’s batters and ran through them for a comprehensive win.
Verma scored 68 off 39 balls with 3 sixers and 5 fiurs, and Mandhana 59 off 39, with 2 sixers and 9 fours, spraying Sri Lanka’s attack without much trouble and their 183 for 5 proved to be enough to snuff out a Sri Lankan challenge.
Electing to bat first, much against the grain of previous games, India appeared to have all the answers as Sri Lanka’s batters showed little resistance apart from Skipper Chamari Athapaththu 36 off 32 balls, Vishmi Gunaratne 20 off 22 deliveries, and Nilakshika Silva, 22 off 16 as they tamely folded for 111 in 20 overs after a futile chase.
India’s plans to get rid of Athapaththu was rewarded when the Sri Lankan skipper in full flight, fell to the trap set to minimise her damage.
Athapaththu in a moment of rashness misread a crafty delivery from spinner Deepti Sharma and was stumped by wicket-keeper Gosh. Gunaratne fell to the same bowler soon after.
Her exit at 62 fo 2 signalled the end for the Sri Lankans as India’s spinners Sharee Charani, 4 for 20 and Deepti Sharma 3 for 19 bamboozled Sri Lanka’s middle and lower order batters on a low and slow Dubai wicket.
This was India’s eight success in the Asia Cup since the tournament inception leaving a yawning gap between them and the rest in Asia.
Sri Lanka rode on home conditions to shock them in the 2024 final but could not maintain that form in this edition in neutral territory.
But three consecutive finals suggests that the women’s game is in good hands. They also narrowly missed making the semis in the World Cup in England.
In all fairness India looked the dominant team throughout, with their wins in the group stage and semis convincing over all while Sri Lanka survived two close encounters against Indonesia, Bangladesh and Pakistan.
Sri Lanka will return with lessons learnt against one of the best white ball teams in the world and should focus on what it takes to close that gap.
A disappointed Sri Lanka skipper Chamari Athapaththu reflected on an area they pinpointed as crucial to beating India, which was their batters, who failed to fire when it mattered.
Athapaththu may yet have another crack at leaving the game on a high in the next edition seeing her form is still not under the microscope. But that decision rests with her and how she feels going forward.
Either way, Sri Lanka’s future looks in good stead with the emergence of Harshita Samarawickrema, Vishmi Gunaratne Kavisha Dilhari, Imesha Dulani and Nilakshika Silva among few others who have matured into serious competitors.
Beaten but not disgraced, Sri Lanka return home to a heroes welcome with the future of success clearly imprinted in their journey ahead.
