Sri Lankans self-destruct as Indian bowlers, led by Renuka, come up with a brilliant effort; Smriti’s brilliant half-century completed the destruction
Sri Lankans self-destruct as Indian bowlers, led by Renuka, come up with a brilliant effort; Smriti’s brilliant half-century completed the destruction
India continued to dominate the Women’s Asia Cup as they thrashed Sri Lanka by eight wickets in the final on Saturday to clinch their seventh title in eight editions.
Sri Lanka, playing their first tournament final in 14 years, were torn apart after batting on a slow and turning pitch. The Sri Lankan team could only manage 65 runs for nine wickets, which India piled up in 8.3 overs. Smriti Mandhana scored an unbeaten 51 off 25 balls.
wacky parade
It was a procession after Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu was run out in the third over after colluding with Anoushka Sanjeevani, who was run out six balls later.
Renuka, who has been in top form since the Commonwealth Games in August, sent Hasini Perera back in the very first ball. The left-handed batsman caught his shot just over cover, leaving Sri Lanka for nine for four.
Sri Lanka desperately needed a partnership but were reduced to 16 for five by the fall of Kavisha Dilhari as she tried to play an incoming delivery from Renuka across the line.
Rajeshwari Gaikwad got her first wicket when Nilakshi de Silva attempted to make a cut close to her body. At 32 for eight, getting out on a sub-50 total was very much on the cards, but Inoka Ranvira saved Sri Lanka from that humiliation with an unbeaten 18 off 22 balls.
The Indians bowled with discipline, especially Renuka, who took three wickets for just five runs in three overs. Rajeshwari took two for 16 in her four overs and Sneh Rana took two for 13.
It was poor shot selection that contributed to Sri Lanka’s quick slide. After a memorable win over Pakistan in the semi-finals, it looked like the opportunity had given the Lankans the better of it.
exquisite strokeplay
India lost Shafali Verma and Jemima Rodrigues cheaply in the run chase. But, the elegant Smriti played some fine strokes on her way to complete the formalities with skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (11 not out on 14). Smriti’s effort included three sixes and six fours. Alright, he got the maximum win off Oshadi Ranasinghe.
This win is a big achievement for India’s preparations for next year’s T20 World Cup. India was able to test players for various roles during the tournament, although this contributed to the tournament’s only defeat in the league stage to Pakistan.
Brief Scores:
Sri Lanka: 65/9 (Inoka Ranveera 18*, Oshadi Ranasinghe 13, Renuka Singh 3/5)
India: 71/2 (Smriti Mandhana 51*, Harmanpreet Kaur 11*, Inoka Ranaveera 1/17).
Teams:
India: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Jemima Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Richa Ghosh (wk), Pooja Vastrakar, Deepti Sharma, Dayalan Hemlata, Sneh Rana, Renuka Thakur and Rajeshwari Gaikwad.
Sri Lanka: Chamari Athapaththu (captain), Anoushka Sanjeevani (wk), Harshita Madvi, Hasini Perera, Nilakshi de Silva, Kavisha Dilhari, Malsha Shehani, Oshadi Ranasinghe, Sugandhika Kumari, Inoka Ranaveera and Achini Kulsuriya.