Indian clinched the Asia Cup 2022 title by thrashing Sri Lanka in the final.
Asked to bowl first, the Women in Blue restricted the opposition to a paltry 65/9 in 20 overs. It was a listless batting performance from Sri Lanka as only two players in the line-up managed to reach the double-digit mark.
Renuka Singh starred with the ball for India, claiming three wickets by conceding only five runs in her three overs. Spinners Rajeshwari Gayakwad (2-16) and Sneh Rana (2-13) also returned with impressive bowling figures, taking two scalps each in their four overs.
Chasing the target, India rode on opener Smriti Mandhana’s unbeaten 51 off 25 balls to get over the line with 51 deliveries to spare.
Speaking after the game, India's star all-rounder Deepti Sharma said a World Cup win is not very far now.
"As a team we did well right from the first match till the final. Obviously, it gives you confidence when you win the final," Deepti, who was adjudged Player of the Tournament, said at the post-match media interaction.
Deepti Sharma finished the multi-nation tournament with 13 wickets from eight matches at an average of 7.69. She also returned with 94 runs from five innings, including a 64-run knock against UAE.
"As a team we have done well and backed each other which is good. Throughout the tournament, we wanted to enjoy each and every game."
While it was India’s seventh Women’s Asia Cup title, they are yet to taste success at the world level.
"If we work like this as a bowling and batting unit, the World Cup is also not very far. This will be the mindset whenever we next play a final. Definitely, this Asia Cup triumph will help a lot, the winning moment gives you confidence for the upcoming series," Deepti stated.
"Our focus was always to do well, rather than just winning and it was about taking one game at a time," she said about their approach in the Asia Cup.
"As a bowling unit, we planned to back our strengths and focus on our skills. We bowled in partnerships that put them under pressure and they threw their wickets away.
"They (Sri Lanka) did well in the semis and we didn't take them lightly. But that's the way the sport is, one team wins and another losses. They have done well throughout the tournament. Maybe it was not their day today," she concluded.
(With PTI inputs)