India and Sri Lanka are preparing to fight for the gold medal when they take on each other in the final of the Women’s Asian Games on Tuesday at the Aichi Prefectural Korogi Sports Park. India head into the final as the defending champions and Sri Lanka come with confidence and the opportunity to claim a positive result. Both India and Sri Lanka women booked their places in the final after clinching victories against Bangladesh and Pakistan women, respectively.
India will be looking to maintain their hold on the Asian Games crown after winning the gold medal in the previous edition in 2023. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, will have another chance to turn their recent disappointment into a much-needed victory. The two teams met in the previous Asian Games final, with India winning the high-octane match, and most recently both sides faced each other in the Asia Cup final, where India secured another crushing win.
India’s campaign has largely been ked by an aggressive approach with the bat, with Shafali Verma being the star performer. She slammed an explosive knocks in the semifinal against Bangladesh, registering a century in 49 balls. Smriti Mandhana and captain Harmanpreet Kaur have also played their valuable role. India’s bowling has too been attacking led by Deepti Sharma, Sree Charani and young Nandani Sharma.
On the other hand, Sri Lanka’s route to the final has been made possible by captain Chamari Athapaththu. The veteran all-rounder scored an unbeaten 83 in the semi-final against Pakistan to take her side to victory. Sri Lanka would, meanwhile, expect their other players to step up in this crucial encounter.
Head-to-head (T20Is)
Matches - 32
IND-W won - 26
SL-W won - 5
No result - 1
India possible XI: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, G Kamalini, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Richa Ghosh (wk), Bharti Fulmali, Deepti Sharma, Shreyanka Patil, Kranti Gaud, N Shree Charani, Nandani Sharma.
Sri Lanka possible XI: Imesha Dulani, Chamari Athapaththu (c), Hasini Perera, Kavisha Dilhari, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Hansima Karunaratne, Kaushini Nuthyangana (wk), Rashmika Sewwandi, Mithali Ayodhya, Chamudi Praboda, Sugandika Kumari.