Asian Games: Mandhana, Richa power India to record 216/3 in final

Nisshin: Smriti Mandhana’s stellar 79, Shafali Verma’s 48 and Richa Ghosh’s unbeaten 49 powered India Women to a record-breaking 216/3 against Sri Lanka in the gold medal match of the Asian Games at Korogi Sports Park here on Tuesday.

India, who opted to bat first, posted the highest total in the history of the Women’s Asian Games and the highest score in a Women’s T20 final with a record-breaking performance in the gold medal clash.

Mandhana was in top form, smashing 79 off just 45 balls, including seven sixes and five fours. Her innings also saw her become the first player in women’s cricket to complete 11,000 runs in international cricket.

Shafali produced another strong performance after scoring her maiden white-ball century in the semifinal against Bangladesh. She made 48 off 29 deliveries, hitting three fours and as many sixes.

Richa provided the late acceleration with a brilliant unbeaten 49 off 22 balls, while Bharti Fulmali contributed a run-a-ball seven as India finished on 216/3.

The Women in Blue broke the record for the highest total in the history of the Asian Games, surpassing the previous mark of 202/4 set by Hong Kong Women against Mongolia Women at the 2023 Hangzhou Games.

India also registered the highest total in a women’s T20 final, going past the previous record of 210 set by Brazil Women in a quadrangular series final against Spain in July this year.

Mandhana and Shafali gave India a flying start, with the left-hander leading the assault. Mandhana smashed four sixes in the powerplay, while Shafali added two as India raced to 67/0.

The opening pair put together a 99-run partnership as boundaries flowed around the ground before Shafali was caught while attempting a reverse hit.

Harmanpreet Kaur also made a useful contribution, scoring 19 off 17 balls, while Mandhana continued to inflict most of the damage. The skipper was caught at long-on in the 15th over before Mandhana departed in the 17th over after holing out to deep mid-wicket.

Richa was promoted to No. 4 and delivered exactly the acceleration India needed at the end. She took the Sri Lankan bowlers apart, scoring 25 runs in the final over alone to finish unbeaten on 49 and take India to 216/3.

Brief Scores: India 216/3 (Smriti Mandhana 79 off 45, Richa Ghosh 49* off 22; Chamudi Praboda 1-34, Kavisha Dilhari 1-35) vs Sri Lanka.

With IANS inputs