The Indian women's cricket team on Monday (September 25) defeated Sri Lanka in the final of the Hangzhou Asian Games to clinch the gold medal.
Opting to bat first on a sluggish track, the Women in Blue posted a below-par 116/7 in their allotted 20 overs. Opener Smriti Mandhana was the top scorer with 45-ball 46 while Jemimah Rodrigues made a vital contribution of 40-ball 42 batting at No. 3.
Defending the total, India restricted Sri Lanka to 97/8 in 20 overs to win the match by 19 runs. Young pacer Titas Sadhu starred with the ball as she recorded excellent figures of 3 for 6 in her four overs.
Rajeshwari Gayakwad (2-20), Pooja Vastrakar (1-20), Deepti Sharma (1-25) and Devika Vaidya (1-15) shared five scalps among them.
As the Indian women won the country’s first-ever gold medal in cricket at the Asian Games, BCCI secretary Jay Shah lauded and congratulated the team on this achievement.
“Indian women's cricket team wins Gold at the #AsianGames with a dominant win over Sri Lanka, led by 18-year-old sensation #TitasSadhu's bowling brilliance (3 for 6). Congratulations to the team and support staff for this historic achievement! @BCCIWomen,” Shah wrote on X.
BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla also hailed Harmanpreet Kaur and her troops for winning a gold medal in the Asian Games.
“Congratulations to Indian Women's Cricket team for the historic #GoldMedal at #AsianGames 2023. Your illustrious victory will definitely inspire young players. As a team, you are a role model & motivation for other girls to pursue cricket as a career option. #IndiaAtAsianGames,” Shukla wrote.
Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur also made a post X to appreciate the Indian women’s cricket team.
“IT'S A GOLD ???? Congratulations to our Women's Cricket Team on their astounding debut at the #AsianGames and bring home ????????'s 1st-ever GOLD in Cricket!! Valiant effort and terrific fielding from the #WomenInBlue, rising from the ashes and leaving cricket fans at the edge of their seats till the very last moment ???? This historic win is a testament to their grit, indomitable spirit, and resilience, a moment which will forever be etched in ????????'s Asian Games history. ???? Congratulations CHAMPIONS ???? #BharatAtAG22,” Thakur wrote.
