India cruised into the Asian Games 2026 women’s cricket gold medal match with a comprehensive 114-run victory over Bangladesh at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin. The win sets up a championship clash against Sri Lanka on Tuesday, marking a repeat of the 2023 final previously held in Hangzhou.
The cornerstone of India’s 195/4 total was an explosive, unbeaten 49-ball 100 from opener Shafali Verma, who struck nine sixes during her maiden T20I century. She received strong support from Smriti Mandhana, who contributed 37. The pair combined for a quick-fire 72 in the Powerplay. During this partnership, Mandhana overtook Suzie Bates as the leading run-scorer in women’s T20I history and secured her 100th six in the format. While Mandhana fell to a catch off Nahida Akter, India continued to accelerate, with skipper Harmanpreet Kaur adding 40 runs in a pivotal 94-run stand alongside Verma.
India’s momentum momentarily dipped when Harmanpreet was stumped off the bowling of Rabeya Khan following a dropped chance, and Richa Ghosh was dismissed by Marufa Akter. However, Verma remained steady, bringing up her century on the final delivery of the innings, ensuring India posted a formidable score despite failing to reach the 200-run mark.
Bangladesh’s chase struggled from the outset as they were bundled out for just 81 in 15.4 overs. Only three batters reached double figures, with a 29-run third-wicket partnership between Dilara Akter and Nigar Sultana representing the only notable resistance. India’s bowling attack was clinical, led by birthday girl Nandani Sharma, who dismissed Juraiya Ferdous with her first delivery and later secured two wickets in consecutive balls during the 11th over to leave Bangladesh reeling at seven down.
The clinical bowling display continued as Deepti Sharma claimed three wickets for only seven runs, effectively cleaning up the tail. Shree Charani also made an impact with two wickets for seven runs. Although Shreyanka Patil conceded 15 runs in a single over, it was the only minor blemish in an otherwise perfect defensive performance that secured India’s place in the final. Brief scores: India Women 195/4 in 20 overs (Shafali Verma 100*, Harmanpreet Kaur 40, Smriti Mandhana 37; Shanjida Akter Meghla 1-25) beat Bangladesh 81 all out in 15.4 overs (Dilara Akter 27; Deepti Sharma 3-7, Nandani Sharma 3-25, Shree Charani 2-7) by 114 runs. The report also notes that as the duo piled up 72 in the Powerplay before the latter’s dismissal off the last ball of that pha, india’s batting dominance was underlined by another significant opening partnership between Shafali and Smriti Mandhana. The report also notes that mandhana fell for 37 as she slog-swept Nahida Akter down the throat of deep mid-wicket. The report also notes that india’s scoring rate dropped below 10 as G Kamalini fell for a painstaking 10-ball 3. The report also notes that who endured a torrid outing as the Indian captain and Shafali tore into her in a 94-run partnership, harmanpreet Kaur began slowly but caught up with a couple of boundaries off Nahida. The report also notes that with Shafali continuing to dominate the bowlers as India got to 150, marufa Akter sent down a forgettable 15th over that cost her 22 runs. The report also notes that removing Richa Ghosh in the process, marufa redeemed herself with expert execution of the yorker and the slower delivery.
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