IND vs SL Highlights, Women's Asia Cup Final: India become Asian Champions again after Charani, Deepti heroics

From Asia Cup to Asian Games - And that brings our coverage of the Women's Asia Cup to a rather unusual close. The celebrations may not have quite followed the expected script, but the cricket has certainly given us plenty to remember from this tournament. The action, however, doesn't stop here. Both India Women and Sri Lanka Women now turn their attention to the Asian Games 2026, entering directly at the quarter-final stage. Sri Lanka take on Malaysia on Thursday, September 17, at 12 am GMT (5.30 am IST), before India face Japan later that day at 5 am GMT (10.30 am IST). Make sure to join us early for all the build-up to both games. Until next time, cheers and goodbye!

There is a familiar sight at the end of the presentation ceremony, reminiscent of what unfolded after the Men's Asia Cup final in 2025, when the Indian team did not collect the trophy from ACC President Mohsin Naqvi. This time too, the Indian Women's team are nowhere to be seen as the trophy presentation concluded, with Farveez Maharoof eventually calling time on the ceremony. No individual awards are announced either, bringing an unusual end to the celebrations on stage.

The captain of Sri Lanka Women - Chamari Athapaththu now collects the runners-up cheque from ACC President Mohsin Naqvi before making her way over for the post-match interview. She says that at the end of the day, they did not play their best cricket, especially with the ball, and need to learn from these mistakes, and we will certainly bounce back. Chamari adds that in this game the side struggled, but having played the final means they were good throughout, so this loss doesn't change much. She mentions that many players took their game forward and made valuable contributions throughout the tournament. Harshitha Samarawickrama, Chamudi Praboda and Nilakshika Silva, in particular, stood out with their performances.

It's time for the Sri Lanka Women players and coaching staff to make their way onto the stage and collect their runners-up medals, led by skipper Chamari Athapaththu. A moment of recognition for a team that fought hard throughout the tournament before finishing second-best on the night.

Chamari Athapaththu signs the match ball before special mementos are presented to the match officials in recognition of their contribution to the final, marking another warm moment as the presentation ceremony gets underway.

While we wait for the presentation ceremony to begin, the entire India Women squad gathers in a huddle, with BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia applauding the players alongside BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla. The duo also present Nandani Sharma with a medal in recognition of her excellent fielding effort in the final, adding another special moment to the celebrations.

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A fitting finish - India Women's pacers set the tone early, with Kranti Gaud striking in the very first over while Nandani Sharma kept things tight from the other end. Sri Lanka did manage to build a partnership, but Deepti Sharma's brilliance in the 10th over changed the game, as she removed both set batters and India never loosened their grip from there. Sree Charani led the charge with a superb 4/20, while Prema Rawat and Shafali Verma chipped in with a wicket apiece. Fittingly, it was Deepti who had the final say, completing a three-wicket haul with the last ball of the final. The only blemish for India was their fielding, with five catches going down. It did not hurt them here, but against stronger opposition, such lapses could prove costly and are an area they will want to sharpen.

We conclude with G Kamalini - She says that winning a title for India is a feeling that can not be expressed. Kamalini adds that this tournament has given a lot of learning, and she and her seniors will carry it whenever they score or get out early is something that she'll keep in mind always.

Time for one of the quicks to say a few words - On winning her first major title, Nandani Sharma says that she is feeling really well to win it after the injuries she had suffered recently. Nandini credits the staff and teammates for the plan they gave her to keep Chamari on the back foot. Nandini adds that they will enjoy it here and then practice hard and work on their mistakes again. On Deepti, she adds that she is the one they all look up to whenever they need a wicket, and she always produces for the side.

Next up is Richa Ghosh - She says that the atmosphere adds a lot to the victory, as it made them feel they were at home. Richa adds that the wicket was good to bat on early in the game but slowed as the game went on so the runs at the top were key. Richa mentions that her role in the side is to score quick runs and the position she plays at makes her scoring run even more joyful for everyone.

Head Coach of India Women - Amol Muzumdar says he is proud of the players and the support staff as well. Amol adds that the batting clicked well and what was discussed in the team meeting was executed on the ground. Amol mentions that the pitch was on the slower side and it turned as well in the second innings so they won a good toss and the way the openers made good use of the freshness off the deck was tremendous. Amol praises Verma and Smriti for the flair and fire they show at the top. Amol reckons that they took a lot of learnings from the series they played against Sri Lanka Women to prepare for Chamari Athapaththu and the rest, and it worked.

Let's hear from India Women's skipper - Harmanpreet Kaur says that they are feeling really well and the team played to their standards and did not get complacent at all. On scoring 180 plus Harmanpret says that the opening pair did a perfect job for us, and Shafali Verma in particular had a brilliant tournament, and the way she matured during the tournament is heartening to see. Kaur thanks the crowd for their tremendous support.

India Women posted a commanding total - Earlier in the game, India Women put a formidable total on the board, although they would have wanted a few more after the way they started. The openers set the final alight with a magnificent 129-run stand, both bringing up fine fifties, but the middle order could not quite carry the momentum forward. G Kamalini's late burst of 15 off just five balls, however, pushed India past 180, a total that was well above par on this surface. It was a difficult outing with the ball for Sri Lanka, although they did manage to pull things back in the second half. Mithali Ayodhya, Chamari Athapaththu and Chamudi Praboda chipped in with a wicket apiece, but Sri Lanka Women needed far more from their bowling attack if they were to put up a serious fight.

Sri Lanka Women collapse under pressure - Despite losing an early wicket, Sri Lanka kept themselves in the game through a fighting 58-run stand between Chamari Athapaththu and Vishmi Gunaratne. But with the required run rate climbing rapidly, both batters had to take their chances and were dismissed in the same over for 36 and 20 respectively. That proved to be the turning point, as Sri Lanka never recovered from there. The middle order simply folded under the pressure, with no fight forthcoming as Sri Lanka slumped from 63/3 to 104/8. The writing was already on the wall, and the innings eventually ended at 111 all out on the last ball, bringing their chase to a disappointing conclusion.

The Queens of Asia - India Women have reclaimed the Asian throne in emphatic fashion, avenging their defeat to Sri Lanka Women in the 2024 final. The Women in Blue have now lifted a record eighth Women's Asia Cup title, underlining once again their dominance in the continental game and their status as one of the forces to beat in world cricket.

19.6: Deepti Sharma to Kaushini Nuthyangana, OUT! TIMBER​​! Sri Lanka Women get bowled out on the last ball. India Women win the title for the 8th time as they defeat Sri Lanka Women by 72 runs. Deepti comes around the stumps, darts it on the leg pole. Kaushini Nuthyangana swings for the stands but misses and sees the stumps get broken. 

19.5: Deepti Sharma to Kaushini Nuthyangana, Full and on middle and leg, Kaushini Nuthyangana hits this straight to the fielder. 

19.4: Deepti Sharma to Kaushini Nuthyangana, Full and wide of off, Kaushini Nuthyangana goes for a sweep but gets it deflected off her pads to short third. 

19.3: Deepti Sharma to Kaushini Nuthyangana, Tossed up, around off, Kaushini Nuthyangana drives this to extra cover for no run.

19.2: Deepti Sharma to Kaushini Nuthyangana, Fuller around middle and off, Kaushini Nuthyangana hits this to deep mid-wicket and doesn't take the single on offer. 

19.1: Deepti Sharma to Kaushini Nuthyangana, FOUR! Tossed up, wide down the leg side, Kaushini Nuthyangana goes away to her leg side and sweeps this in the gap towards the long leg region for four runs. 

Chamudi Praboda is in last to bat. 

18.6: Prema Rawat to Mithali Ayodhya, OUT! STUMPED! Prema Rawat does get her first wicket in the final. Flighted, around off, turning away from the batter. Mithali Ayodhya clears her front leg and swings at it but gets beaten on the outside. Richa Ghosh gathers this behind the stumps and removes the bails in a flash. This is sent upstairs for a stumping check and the replay shows that Ayodhya has dragged her back foot out of her crease and will have to walk back. 

18.5: Prema Rawat to Mithali Ayodhya, Tossed up on middle and leg, Mithali Ayodhya tucks this to mid-wicket for no run.

18.4: Prema Rawat to Kaushini Nuthyangana, Tossed up, on the pads, Kaushini Nuthyangana goes for a sweep and hits this to Sree Charani. She drops another simple catch and the batters run one. 

18.3: Prema Rawat to Kaushini Nuthyangana, Pushed through around off, Kaushini Nuthyangana looks to go big but gets it edged and the ball lands in front of short third and goes behind her for two runs. 

18.2: Prema Rawat to Kaushini Nuthyangana, Quicker one, around off, Kaushini Nuthyangana swings and misses on any sort of connection with the ball. 

18.1: Prema Rawat to Kaushini Nuthyangana, Fuller around off, turning away from the batter. Kaushini Nuthyangana swings and gets it edged off the outside and the ball lands in front of short third. 

17.6: Sree Charani to Mithali Ayodhya, Pushed through around off, Mithali Ayodhya cuts this to point for no run. 

Mithali Ayodhya is in next. 

17.5: Sree Charani to Sugandika Kumari, OUT! CAUGHT! Wickets are tumbling regularly here. Tossed up, on middle and off, Sugandika Kumari goes down on one knee and slog sweeps it. Hits this directly in the grasp of Nandani Sharma at the deep mid-wicket region. India Women are just two wickets away from the win now.

17.4: Sree Charani to Sugandika Kumari, Darted around off, Sugandika Kumari goes for a reverse sweep but misses and gets hit around her abdomen. 

17.3: Sree Charani to Sugandika Kumari, Fuller around the pads, Sugandika Kumari goes for a sweep and gets it edged onto her pads for no run.

17.2: Sree Charani to Sugandika Kumari, Tossed up, wide of off, Sugandika Kumari keeps it out. 

17.1: Sree Charani to Sugandika Kumari, Tossed up, wide of off, Sugandika Kumari drives this to covers for no run. 

16.6: Shafali Verma to Sugandika Kumari, Full and around off, Sugandika Kumari gets it guided to the third man region for a single. 

16.5: Shafali Verma to Sugandika Kumari, Quicker one, on middle and off, Sugandika Kumari pushes this to the bowler. 

Sugandika Kumari walks out next to bat for Sri Lanka Women. 

16.4: Shafali Verma to Hasini Perera, OUT! CAUGHT! Fuller around off, Hasini Perera brings out the reverse sweep but hits it straight into the hands of Sree Charani at short third. Sree makes no mistake this time, and Shafali Verma gets her first of the game. India Women are rapidly moving closer to the finish line now.

16.3: Shafali Verma to Hasini Perera, Floated on middle and off, Hasini Perera gets it edged off the inside onto her pads. 

16.2: Shafali Verma to Kaushini Nuthyangana, Tossed up, on the pads, Kaushini Nuthyangana flicks this through square leg for a single. 

16.1: Shafali Verma to Kaushini Nuthyangana, Straight one, wide of off, Kaushini Nuthyangana swings and misses. 

15.6: Sree Charani to Kaushini Nuthyangana, Tossed up, around off, Kaushini Nuthyangana drives this through mid off for one run. 

15.5: Sree Charani to Kaushini Nuthyangana, Fuller around middle and off, Kaushini Nuthyangana defends this off her front foot. 

15.4: Sree Charani to Nilakshika Silva, OUT! CAUGHT! Sree Charani adds to her tally as she gets her third scalp of this game. Fuller around middle and off, Nilakshika Silva sweeps this high in the air and straight into the hands of G Kamalini at the deep square leg region. G Kamalini keeps hold of the ball and Nilakshika Silva has to walk back. 

15.3: Sree Charani to Hasini Perera, Tossed up, on middle and off, Hasini Perera flicks this through mid-wicket for a single. 

Hasini Perera is next in. 

15.2: Sree Charani to Kavisha Dilhari, OUT! CAUGHT! Flighted, around off, turning away from the batter, Kavisha Dilhari jumps down the track and has a wild swing at the ball. Gets it off the outside edge and the ball drops in front of Nandani Sharma at short third, but she runs in front and puts in a dive to grab it. Sree Charani gets her second. 

15.1: Sree Charani to Kavisha Dilhari, Fuller around middle and off, Kavisha Dilhari sweeps this to the right of deep square leg for a brace. 100 up for Sri Lanka Women!

14.6: Prema Rawat to Nilakshika Silva, FOUR! Sloppy in the deep! Floated, full and on middle, Nilakshika Silva sweeps again with one hand. It races through the turf wide of deep square leg, where Sree Charani dives over the ball and lets it through for a boundary.

14.5: Prema Rawat to Nilakshika Silva, Another chance goes begging! A low full toss, on middle, Nilakshika Silva uses her feet and smacks it straight back to the bowler. Rawat tries to grab it with both hands but it just does not stick in.

14.4: Prema Rawat to Nilakshika Silva, PUT DOWN! Slows it up, full and around middle. Nilakshika Silva once again goes for the sweep but her bottom hand comes off the bat. She gets a top edge that flies towards deep square leg, where Sree Charani dives forward and grabs it, but the ball pops out at the last moment. Two taken.

14.3: Prema Rawat to Kavisha Dilhari, Tossed up, full and on middle, Kavisha Dilhari swipes it to deep square leg for one.

14.2: Prema Rawat to Kavisha Dilhari, Flighted, full and on middle, Kavisha Dilhari pushes it back to the bowler.

14.1: Prema Rawat to Nilakshika Silva, Comedy of errors! Floated, full and on leg, Nilakshika Silva goes down and paddles it towards short fine. Kavisha Dilhari sets off for the run but Silva does not even look at her until she reaches the batter's end. Nandani Sharma throws it wildly at the keeper's end, where Richa Ghosh fails to collect it and Silva quickly runs to the other end.

13.6: Sree Charani to Kavisha Dilhari, FOUR! Deft touch! Quicker one, shortish and on off. Kavisha Dilhari opens the bat face and uses the pace to steer it wide of short third. Nandani Sharma gives a good chase and dives but fails to stop the boundary.

The next batter in is Kavisha Dilhari.

13.5: Sree Charani to Harshitha Samarawickrama, OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! Sree Charani gets among the wickets. She bowls this flatter, short and on middle, turns in sharply. Harshitha Samarawickrama backs away and tries to flat-bat it away but gets cramped for room. The ball hits her high on the bat and lobs towards the bowler, where Charani leaps up and takes a fine catch. Sri Lanka Women are 86/4, still needing 98 runs in 37 balls.

13.4: Sree Charani to Nilakshika Silva, Drags her length back a bit, on middle, Nilakshika Silva once again goes for the sweep but gets a top edge. It goes in the air but lands in the vacant square leg region. They cross.

13.3: Sree Charani to Nilakshika Silva, Floated, full and on off, turns away, Nilakshika Silva goes inside out and lifts it. It goes in the air but lands between extra cover and cover for another double.

13.2: Sree Charani to Nilakshika Silva, Flighted, full and on off, Nilakshika Silva swipes it away wide of deep mid-wicket for a brace.

13.1: Sree Charani to Nilakshika Silva, Tossed up, full and on middle, Nilakshika Silva goes down and sweeps it wide of deep square leg. She hurries back for the second but the throw is not a good one.

12.6: Shafali Verma to Harshitha Samarawickrama, Goes short again, just outside off, Harshitha Samarawickrama misses her cut again.

12.5: Shafali Verma to Harshitha Samarawickrama, Flighted, full and on off, Harshitha Samarawickrama goes for the reverse sweep but misses.

12.4: Shafali Verma to Harshitha Samarawickrama, Dragged back, outside off. Harshitha Samarawickrama back away and slashes but gets a thick outside edge. Before Richa Ghosh can react, the ball hits the grill of her helmet.

12.3: Shafali Verma to Nilakshika Silva, Short and outside off, Nilakshika Silva cuts it away to backward point for another run.

12.2: Shafali Verma to Harshitha Samarawickrama, Floated, full and on off, Harshitha Samarawickrama uses her feet and sweeps it to deep mid-wicket for a run.

12.1: Shafali Verma to Nilakshika Silva, Tossed up, full and on off, Nilakshika Silva comes forward and lofts it down to long on for a single.

11.6: Deepti Sharma to Nilakshika Silva, Flatter, full and on middle, Nilakshika Silva goes down and swipes it to deep square leg for one.

11.5: Deepti Sharma to Harshitha Samarawickrama, Flighted, full and on off, Harshitha Samarawickrama has a swipe across the line but gets a thin outside edge past the keeper towards short third. They cross.

11.4: Deepti Sharma to Harshitha Samarawickrama, Drops it short and on off, Harshitha Samarawickrama stabs it out to the off side.

11.3: Deepti Sharma to Harshitha Samarawickrama, Slows it up, full and on off, turns away, Harshitha Samarawickrama goes down for the sweep but misses.

11.2: Deepti Sharma to Harshitha Samarawickrama, FOUR! Nicely done! Tossed up, full and around off, Harshitha Samarawickrama uses her feet to go inside out and lofts it over extra covers for a boundary.

11.1: Deepti Sharma to Nilakshika Silva, Floated, full and on off, Nilakshika Silva sweeps it towards deep square leg for a single.

10.6: Shafali Verma to Harshitha Samarawickrama, Slows it up, full and on middle, Harshitha Samarawickrama reverse sweeps it straight to point.

10.5: Shafali Verma to Nilakshika Silva, Tossed up, full and on off, Nilakshika Silva pushes it through covers for one.

10.4: Shafali Verma to Nilakshika Silva, Flatter, shortish and on off, Nilakshika Silva backs away and tries to cut it away but gets a bottom edge that goes through the keeper's legs behind her. Two taken.

10.3: Shafali Verma to Harshitha Samarawickrama, Flighted, full and on off, Harshitha Samarawickrama uses her feet and drills it towards long off for another run.

10.2: Shafali Verma to Nilakshika Silva, Short again, on middle, Nilakshika Silva pulls it towards deep mid-wicket for a run.

10.1: Shafali Verma to Harshitha Samarawickrama, Floated, short and outside off, Harshitha Samarawickrama punches it to sweeper cover for a single.

Nilakshika Silva is the new batter.

9.6: Deepti Sharma to Vishmi Gunaratne, OUT! DRAGGED ON! Deepti Sharma strikes again in the final to become the tournament's leading wicket-taker. Firing a pinpoint yorker into the base of leg stump, Vishmi Gunaratne shuffles too far across on an attempted sweep but drags it onto the stumps. Sri Lanka plunge into deep trouble now.

9.5: Deepti Sharma to Harshitha Samarawickrama, Slightly shorter again, on off, Harshitha Samarawickrama cuts it to cover for a single.

9.4: Deepti Sharma to Harshitha Samarawickrama, Short, on leg, Harshitha Samarawickrama looks to paddle it but gets a blow on her body. Dot.

DRINKS! Sri Lanka Women are 62/2 after 9.3 overs. They need 122 runs in 63 balls. That's a huge ask with Sri Lanka Women losing their skipper. With Vishmi Gunaratne unbeaten on 20 and joined by Harshitha Samarawickrama, an escalating required run rate nearing 12 leaves Sri Lanka with no choice but to attack immediately. India Women will continue their hunt for wickets. Let's see how it goes...

9.3: Deepti Sharma to Chamari Athapaththu, OUT! STUMPED! Deepti Sharma strikes, and that's a big wicket for India Women. Tossed up, outside off, with some turn. Chamari Athapaththu moves forwarda nd tries to go big but fails to connect it and gets beaten on the turn. Richa Ghosh, behind the stumps, collects the ball and whips the bails off. The umpire checks and confirms that Chamari was short. She has to walk back, and that could well be the trophy for the India Women.

9.2: Deepti Sharma to Vishmi Gunaratne, Tossed up, on off, Vishmi Gunaratne sweeps it but gets a top edge. The ball lobs towards short third for a single.

9.1: Deepti Sharma to Vishmi Gunaratne, Fullish, on leg, Vishmi Gunaratne plays a reverse sweep towards the point fielder.

That's a good over for the Sri Lanka Women. They still have a mountain to climb, but with Chamari Athapaththu on the crease, they can still do it. Deepti Sharma is back on.

8.6: Prema Rawat to Chamari Athapaththu, Good comeback! Flatter, outside off, Chamari Athapaththu tries to cut it but misses. 

8.5: Prema Rawat to Chamari Athapaththu, FOUR! Athapaththu finds the boundary again! Shortish again, on leg, Chamari Athapaththu goes deep in her crease and pulls it through mid-wicket. The fielder dives to her left near the fence but fails to stop the boundary.

8.4: Prema Rawat to Chamari Athapaththu, SIX! That's a towering six from the Sri Lanka Women skipper! Fullish, on off, Chamari Athapaththu gets down on one knee and clatters it high over deep mid-wicket for a huge six.

8.3: Prema Rawat to Chamari Athapaththu, Flighted up, on off, Chamari Athapaththu fends it back to the bowler.

8.2: Prema Rawat to Chamari Athapaththu, Tossed up, a full toss, Chamari Athapaththu knocks it to the right of the bowler. Prema Rawat dives to that side and makes a brilliant stop. Dot.

8.1: Prema Rawat to Vishmi Gunaratne, Much fuller, on leg, Vishmi Gunaratne flicks it to mid-wicket for a single.

Sri Lanka Women need 134 runs in 72 balls now. Prema Rawat comes into the attack now.

7.6: Deepti Sharma to Chamari Athapaththu, FOUR! Streaky from Athapaththu! Also, 50 comes up for the Sri Lanka Women. Quicker, outside off, Chamari Athapaththu looks to cut it but gets a thick outside edge. The ball races through short third for a boundary.

7.5: Deepti Sharma to Vishmi Gunaratne, Too full, on leg, Vishmi Gunaratne flicks it to mid-wicket for a single.

7.4: Deepti Sharma to Vishmi Gunaratne, Short, on leg, Vishmi Gunaratne tucks it to mid-wicket.

7.3: Deepti Sharma to Vishmi Gunaratne, Close! Slower, just outside leg, Vishmi Gunaratne moves to her off side and looks to flick it but misses. Not a wide as the ball was just inside the red line on the leg side. The ball just missed the leg pole.

7.2: Deepti Sharma to Chamari Athapaththu, Much fuller, outside off, Chamari Athapaththu drives it through covers for a single.

7.1: Deepti Sharma to Chamari Athapaththu, Uppish, safe! Flatter, outside off, Chamari Athapaththu looks to drive it but gets an outside edge. The ball lobs and lands safely at point. Dot.

Deepti Sharma comes into the attack now.

6.6: Sree Charani to Chamari Athapaththu, Shortish, outside off, Chamari Athapaththu looks to punch it but misses. The keeper fails to collect it as the batters collect a bye.

6.5: Sree Charani to Chamari Athapaththu, Slowish, on leg, Chamari Athapaththu flicks it to short fine leg. She wanted a single but was sent back. The fielder throws it towards the keeper who whips the bails off but Chamari was safely back home.

6.4: Sree Charani to Vishmi Gunaratne, Dropped! A difficult one, though. Short, on off, Vishmi Gunaratne knocks it to the left of the bowler. Sree Charani dives to her left and tries to take the catch on the follow through but fails to hold onto it. The ball rolls towards mid off as the batters cross.

6.3: Sree Charani to Vishmi Gunaratne, Play and a miss! Turn and bounce, outside off, Vishmi Gunaratne has a waft at it but misses. Nice comeback delivery from Sree Charani.

6.2: Sree Charani to Vishmi Gunaratne, FOUR! Good shot from Vishmi. Full and straight, Vishmi Gunaratne changes her stance and plays a reverse sweep through backward point as the ball races away. That will give some confidence to Sri Lanka Women.

6.1: Sree Charani to Vishmi Gunaratne, Tossed up, full and on middle, Vishmi Gunaratne taps it back to the bowler.

Sri Lanka Women are 38/1 at the end of Powerplay. They need 146 runs in 84 balls now. Sree Charani comes into the attack now.

5.6: Nandani Sharma to Chamari Athapaththu, Nice and full, on off, Chamari Athapaththu drives it straight to the fielder at cover.

5.5: Nandani Sharma to Chamari Athapaththu, Angling in, on middle, Chamari Athapaththu stays back and chips it over mid off for a brace. 

5.4: Nandani Sharma to Vishmi Gunaratne, This is brilliant bowling from Nandani Sharma. Nice and full, on middle, Vishmi Gunaratne flicks it through mid-wicket for just one again.

5.3: Nandani Sharma to Chamari Athapaththu, A tad fuller, outside off, Chamari Athapaththu slashes it straight to the fielder at backward point. The fielder does well to stop it. Just a single.

5.2: Nandani Sharma to Vishmi Gunaratne, Good length, on off, Vishmi Gunaratne makes room and punches it through covers for just a single.

5.1: Nandani Sharma to Vishmi Gunaratne, Angling in, on middle, Vishmi Gunaratne flicks it to square leg. 

4.6: Shafali Verma to Chamari Athapaththu, FOUR! Nice shot! Looped up, full and around middle. Chamari Athapaththu gets right under it and thumps it over mid on for a boundary.

4.5: Shafali Verma to Vishmi Gunaratne, Flatter, full and on middle, Vishmi Gunaratne uses her feet and drills it to long on for one.

4.4: Shafali Verma to Chamari Athapaththu, Slows it up, full and on middle, Chamari Athapaththu uses her feet to defend it but gets an inside edge towards square leg for a single.

4.3: Shafali Verma to Chamari Athapaththu, Flighted, full and on off, Chamari Athapaththu taps it to the off side.

4.2: Shafali Verma to Chamari Athapaththu, SIX! Connects well this time! Flatter, full and on middle, angling in. Chamari Athapaththu crouches low and swipes it powerfully over the deep square leg fence for a biggie.

4.1: Shafali Verma to Chamari Athapaththu, Floated, full and on middle and leg, Chamari Athapaththu goes down for the slog sweep but misses and gets hit on the midriff.

Time for some spin now. Shafali Verma comes into the attack.

3.6: Nandani Sharma to Chamari Athapaththu, Much fuller and outside off, Chamari Athapaththu reaches out and drills it wide of sweeper cover. Kranti Gaud quickly covers the ground to her right to make a fine stop. They cross.

3.5: Nandani Sharma to Vishmi Gunaratne, Hard length and on off, Vishmi Gunaratne stabs it out through covers for a run.

3.4: Nandani Sharma to Chamari Athapaththu, Back of a length and around off, Chamari Athapaththu punches it to sweeper cover for a single.

3.3: Nandani Sharma to Chamari Athapaththu, On a length and on off, Chamari Athapaththu opens the bat face and steers it towards backward point.

3.2: Nandani Sharma to Chamari Athapaththu, Good length and on off, skids through, Chamari Athapaththu tries to guide it late but misses.

3.1: Nandani Sharma to Chamari Athapaththu, FOUR! Up and over! A slower one, full and around off. Chamari Athapaththu gets her hands through the shot and goes inside out over covers for a boundary.

2.6: Kranti Gaud to Vishmi Gunaratne, Full again, on off, Vishmi Gunaratne knocks it down to mid on.

2.5: Kranti Gaud to Chamari Athapaththu, Goes fuller and on middle, shaping in, Chamari Athapaththu has a hoick across the line but gets an inside edge through square leg for a single.

2.4: Kranti Gaud to Chamari Athapaththu, Hard length and on off, Chamari Athapaththu punches it straight to cover-point. She is just not finding the gaps at the moment.

2.3: Kranti Gaud to Chamari Athapaththu, Superb stop! Pitched up and around off, Chamari Athapaththu backs away and absolutely drills it but G Kamalini makes a sharp stop at cover.

2.2: Kranti Gaud to Chamari Athapaththu, Fuller and on middle, angling in. Chamari Athapaththu looks to drive it away but gets an inside edge onto her pads as the ball rolls down the pitch.

2.1: Kranti Gaud to Vishmi Gunaratne, Back of a length and around leg, Vishmi Gunaratne nudges it to fine leg for a single.

1.6: Nandani Sharma to Chamari Athapaththu, Pitches it up, on middle and off, Chamari Athapaththu opens the bat face and pushes it towards cover. Three dots in a row to end the over!

1.5: Nandani Sharma to Chamari Athapaththu, Richa Ghosh comes up the stumps now! This is full again, on middle, angling in, Chamari Athapaththu drills it towards mid on.

1.4: Nandani Sharma to Chamari Athapaththu, Much fuller and around off, Chamari Athapaththu drives it firmly but straight to cover.

1.3: Nandani Sharma to Vishmi Gunaratne, Pace off, on a length and on middle, Vishmi Gunaratne clips it through mid-wicket for a run.

1.2: Nandani Sharma to Vishmi Gunaratne, FOUR! Gets it away! Nandani Sharma delivers this around off, shaping away. Vishmi Gunaratne uses her feet to take it on the full and drives it square, past point for the first boundary of the chase.

1.1: Nandani Sharma to Chamari Athapaththu, Nandani Sharma begins with a good-length delivery, around off, shaping in sharply. Chamari Athapaththu looks to push it away but misses. Richa Ghosh fails to collect it cleanly and allows a bye.

Nandani Sharma will share the attack.

0.6: Kranti Gaud to Vishmi Gunaratne, Pitched up and on middle, Vishmi Gunaratne flicks it towards mid-wicket, where a fumble allows a couple of runs. A fine start for India Women!

0.5: Kranti Gaud to Vishmi Gunaratne, Hard length and around off, Vishmi Gunaratne stabs it out to the off side.

Early blow for Sri Lanka Women. Vishmi Gunaratne walks out to bat at number 3.

0.4: Kranti Gaud to Imesha Dulani, OUT! TIMBER! Kranti Gaud has the last laugh here and gives a bit of a send-off to the batter as well. She bowls this a touch fuller, on middle, angling in a bit. Imesha Dulani once again tries to step across and play the scoop but this time moves a bit too much. She misses the ball completely as it crashes into the stumps. Sri Lanka Women are 4/1, chasing 184 runs.

0.3: Kranti Gaud to Imesha Dulani, On a length and on middle, Imesha Dulani knocks it towards mid on.

0.2: Kranti Gaud to Imesha Dulani, Good length and on off, nips back in, Imesha Dulani looks to push it away but gets an inside edge onto her pads. A slight appeal for LBW, but turned down.

0.1: Kranti Gaud to Imesha Dulani, FOUR! Sri Lanka Women are up and running in the chase! Kranti Gaud starts with a fuller delivery, on middle. Imesha Dulani moves across to get inside the line and scoops it from the stumps to the fine leg fence for a boundary.

We are back for the chase! The players are already out in the middle. Imesha Dulani and Chamari Athapaththu are the two openers for Sri Lanka Women. Kranti Gaud will start proceedings with the ball. Here we go...

... THE RUN CHASE ...

Sri Lanka's late fightback drags India back - It was a mixed bag on the bowling front for Sri Lanka Women, who found themselves thoroughly outclassed during the powerplay and middle overs as they failed to keep India's soaring run rate in check. However, Chamari Athapaththu’s side showed immense resilience to claw their way back into the contest when it mattered most. By choking the boundaries in the death overs and keeping the Indian middle-order quiet, the defending champions executed a disciplined damage-control routine. Restricting a rampaging Indian side to 183 gives the Sri Lankan batters a tough but manageable target to defend their continental crown.

A quick chat - Deepti Sharma says they were targeting a score in the range of 180-190 on a good batting surface, crediting Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana for their aggressive start. She adds that the openers played positively through the first six overs before accelerating further until the 10th over. Deepti says the bowling Powerplay would be equally important, with them looking to pick up a few wickets early and build on the momentum. She adds that although the surface was better for batting, they have a strong bowling attack and will look to hit the right areas. Deepti says it is always great to see the fans turn up and support the team, especially in a final. On a target for Sri Lanka, she feels restricting them to around 130-140 would be a good outcome for them. 

Middle-order stutter curbs the momentum - Despite the launchpad provided by the openers, the Indian middle order failed to capitalize on the golden opportunity to post a mammoth total. Following the quick departures of the set openers, the incoming batters struggled to find their rhythm against a tightening field. The fluent strokeplay that defined the first half of the innings dried up as the middle order uncharacteristically stuttered, letting the initial momentum slip away. While a target near the 200-mark seemed a certainty at one stage, a cluster of quiet overs meant India had to settle for a total of 183.

Verma and Mandhana lay a blazing foundation - After winning the toss and electing to bat first, the Indian openers put on an absolute masterclass to hand their side a dream head start in the Grand Final. Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana took the Sri Lankan bowling attack to the cleaners, executing their strokes with supreme confidence on the Dubai surface. The lethal duo stitched together a phenomenal 129-run opening stand, completely shifting the momentum in India's favor before both batters departed in quick succession with the scoreboard reading 132. Verma led the charge with an explosive, top-scoring knock of 68, while vice-captain Mandhana anchored the other end brilliantly with a classy and solid 59.

19.6: Sugandika Kumari to G Kamalini, SIX! G Kamalini finishes in fine fashion! Sugandika Kumari gives this some more air, full and on middle. G Kamalini dances down the track and launches it cleanly over the wide long on fence for a biggie. India Women end up on 183/5 in the final!

19.5: Sugandika Kumari to G Kamalini, FOUR! Streaky but they all count! Floated, full and on middle, G Kamalini uses her feet to swipe it across the line but gets a thin inside edge as the ball races past the keeper to the fine leg fence for a boundary.

19.4: Sugandika Kumari to Bharti Fulmali, Slows it up, full and on middle, Bharti Fulmali mistimes her lofted shot down towards long on for one.

19.3: Sugandika Kumari to G Kamalini, Flighted, full and on leg, G Kamalini drags it towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

19.2: Sugandika Kumari to G Kamalini, Quicker and fuller and on middle and leg, G Kamalini backs away and lofts it towards long on and hurries back for the second run.

19.1: Sugandika Kumari to G Kamalini, Short and on middle, G Kamalini heaves it wide of deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Sugandika Kumari will bowl the final over.

18.6: Mithali Ayodhya to Bharti Fulmali, Good length and outside off, Bharti Fulmali throws her bat at it but misses.

18.5: Mithali Ayodhya to Bharti Fulmali, OUT! DEEPTI SHARMA IS RUN OUT! Sri Lanka Women have pulled things back slightly here. Mithali Ayodhya serves this full, on middle, Bharti Fulmali drills it wide of long on and Deepti Sharma turns around for the second run. Vishmi Gunaratne, who has somehow made it back on the field after her injury earlier, gets to the ball quickly and throws it at the bowler's end, where Ayodhya breaks the stumps. Deepti puts in a dive but that does not save her.

Bharti Fulmali walks out to bat.

18.4: Mithali Ayodhya to Harmanpreet Kaur, OUT! TAKEN IN THE DEEP! Mithali Ayodhya strikes big here. She goes fuller, on middle, takes pace off. Harmanpreet Kaur opens up her stance and goes for the slog across the line but gets it from the bottom half of the bat. It flies only as far as deep mid-wicket, where Kawya Kavindi (Sub) comes forward and pouches it safely. There is a check for a No Ball, but the front foot is fine. India Women are 166/4 now.

18.3: Mithali Ayodhya to Deepti Sharma, Pitched up, on middle, Deepti Sharma clips it towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

18.2: Mithali Ayodhya to Deepti Sharma, Full and outside off, angling away, Deepti Sharma lets it go but it is inside the tramline.

18.1: Mithali Ayodhya to Deepti Sharma, Fuller and around off, Deepti Sharma drives it wide of sweeper cover and hurries back for the second run.

Who bowls the 19th? It will be Mithali Ayodhya.

17.6: Chamari Athapaththu to Deepti Sharma, Flighted, full and on middle, Deepti Sharma goes for the lofted shot but loses her bottom hand. She mistimes the shot but it drops well in front of long on. Single taken.

17.5: Chamari Athapaththu to Deepti Sharma, A bit quicker, full and on off, Deepti Sharma stabs it out to cover.

17.4: Chamari Athapaththu to Deepti Sharma, Slows it up, full and on off, Deepti Sharma pushes it towards cover

17.3: Chamari Athapaththu to Harmanpreet Kaur, Flatter, full and on middle, Harmanpreet Kaur jams it out towards long on for a run.

17.2: Chamari Athapaththu to Deepti Sharma, Floated, full and on leg, Deepti Sharma clips it through square leg for a single.

The next batter in is Deepti Sharma.

17.1: Chamari Athapaththu to Richa Ghosh, OUT! IN THE AIR...GONE! Chamari Athapaththu gets rid of the dangerous Richa Ghosh. She floats it up, full and just around off. Ghosh goes down for the slog sweep but has to drag it a bit and loses her shape. She gets a top edge as the ball lobs up in the air towards cover, where Kavisha Dilhari settles under it and takes a fine catch. Chamari picks up her 12th wicket and is now the highest-wicket taker in the tournament, going past Deepti Sharma.

Chamari Athapaththu will bowl out now.

16.6: Mithali Ayodhya to Richa Ghosh, Pace off again, full and on off, Richa Ghosh goes through the slog across the line early. It goes of fthe top edge over the keeper's head, but short third cuts it out. They cross.

16.5: Mithali Ayodhya to Richa Ghosh, Pitched up, on middle and leg, Richa Ghosh swipes it towards square leg. She wnats the run but is sent back.

16.4: Mithali Ayodhya to Harmanpreet Kaur, Touch fuller, on off, Harmanpreet Kaur taps it towards cover for a run.

16.3: Mithali Ayodhya to Richa Ghosh, Slower one, back of a length and on middle, Richa Ghosh heaves it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

16.2: Mithali Ayodhya to Richa Ghosh, FOUR! A boundary now! Pitched up and just around off, Richa Ghosh extends her amrs to reach out and carves it past extra cover for four more runs.

16.1: Mithali Ayodhya to Richa Ghosh, SIX! Makes it look easy! Fuller delivery, on middle and leg. Richa Ghosh clears his front leg away and smokes it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie. 150 up for India Women!

Pace back on with Mithali Ayodhya.

15.6: Sugandika Kumari to Richa Ghosh, Slows it up, full and on off, Richa Ghosh goes for the heave across the line but gets a top edge. It goes in the air but lands safely in the vacant mid-wicket region. They cross.

15.5: Sugandika Kumari to Harmanpreet Kaur, Flighted, full and on off, Harmanpreet Kaur uses her feet and drags it to long on for a run.

15.4: Sugandika Kumari to Harmanpreet Kaur, Darts this one, full and down the leg side, Harmanpreet Kaur fails to glance it away. Not given as a wide.

15.3: Sugandika Kumari to Harmanpreet Kaur, FOUR! Lovely shot! Flatter, full and around off. Harmanpreet Kaur gets her hands through the shot, opens the bat face and crashes it through point for a boundary.

15.2: Sugandika Kumari to Richa Ghosh, Floated, full and on middle, Richa Ghosh crouches low and swipes it towards deep square leg for a single.

15.1: Sugandika Kumari to Richa Ghosh, Short and around off, Richa Ghosh punches it away but fails to beat cover-point.

14.6: Chamudi Praboda to Harmanpreet Kaur, A bit quicker, full and on off, Harmanpreet Kaur uses her feet and bunts it back to the bowler.

14.5: Chamudi Praboda to Richa Ghosh, Incredible effort! Chamudi Praboda gives this one some more air, full and on middle. Richa Ghosh goes down for the sweep but gets a top edge. It flies towards deep square leg, where Kavisha Dilhari runs forward and dives. She grabs it with both hands but the ball pops out just as her hands hit the ground. A single taken and Ghosh gets a life.

14.4: Chamudi Praboda to Richa Ghosh, Slows it up, full and on off, Richa Ghosh stabs it out to the left of the bowler.

14.3: Chamudi Praboda to Harmanpreet Kaur, Flighted, full and on middle, Harmanpreet Kaur tucks it through mid-wicket for a run.

14.2: Chamudi Praboda to Richa Ghosh, Floated, full and on off, Richa Ghosh drills it towards long off for a single.

14.1: Chamudi Praboda to Harmanpreet Kaur, Tossed up, full and around off, Harmanpreet Kaur drives it firmly through covers but the ball stops on the heavy outfield just ahead of the ropes. Three taken.

13.6: Chamari Athapaththu to Harmanpreet Kaur, Flighted, full and on middle, Harmanpreet Kaur drills it towards long on for one.

13.5: Chamari Athapaththu to Richa Ghosh, Short and outside off, Richa Ghosh cuts it wide of point, but the fielder gets a hand to make a half-stop. They cross.

One brings two for Sri Lanka Women. Richa Ghosh comes out to the middle now.

13.4: Chamari Athapaththu to Harmanpreet Kaur, OUT! MANDHANA IS RUN OUT! This is the third time in the tournament he has been run out. Chamari Athapaththu drops it short, just outside off, Harmanpreet Kaur cuts it away towards point and calls for the run. Smriti Mandhana responds but then stops for a bit. There is a huge mix-up in the middle as the batters get stranded, but Smriti sacrifices herself here. Kavisha Dilhari throws it to the keeper, where Kaushini Nuthyangana does the rest. Both the Indian openers are gone in quick succession.

13.3: Chamari Athapaththu to Harmanpreet Kaur, Pushed through quicker, shortish and on off, skids through. Harmanpreet Kaur tries to play it from the crease but misses.

13.2: Chamari Athapaththu to Smriti Mandhana, Floated, full and on off, Smriti Mandhana drives it to long off for a run.

13.1: Chamari Athapaththu to Harmanpreet Kaur, Tossed up, full and on middle, Harmanpreet Kaur eases it down to long on for a single.

12.6: Chamudi Praboda to Harmanpreet Kaur, Flatter, full and on middle, Harmanpreet Kaur drills it towards long on for one more.

Finally, something to smile about for Sri Lanka Women in the final. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur walks out to bat at number 3.

12.5: Chamudi Praboda to Shafali Verma, OUT! TAKEN! Chamudi Praboda breaks the massive 129-run stand to give Sri Lanka Women the first breakthrough. She drags her length back again, just outside off. Shafali Verma comes down the track and tries to slap it away but gets a bit too close to the ball. She does not get the elevation as the ball flies flat towards extra cover, where Chamari Athapaththu takes a good catch. Can the Islanders build on this?

12.4: Chamudi Praboda to Smriti Mandhana, Drops it a bit short, on off, Smriti Mandhana pats it down the pitch. Chamudi Praboda fails to stop it and allows a run.

12.3: Chamudi Praboda to Smriti Mandhana, SIX! Excellent use of the feet! Tossed up, full and around middle. Smriti Mandhana skips down the track to get to the pitch of it and dispatches it over the bowler's head for a biggie.

12.2: Chamudi Praboda to Shafali Verma, Arm ball, full and on middle, angling in. Shafali Verma looks to push it away but gets an inside edge towards short fine for a single.

12.1: Chamudi Praboda to Shafali Verma, Shorter in length, on middle, Shafali Verma backs away and punches it towards extra cover.

11.6: Kavisha Dilhari to Shafali Verma, Floated, full and on middle, Shafali Verma clips it towards deep mid-wicket for one.

11.5: Kavisha Dilhari to Smriti Mandhana, Goes back to the shorter length, around off, Smriti Mandhana punches it down to long off for a run.

11.5: Kavisha Dilhari to Smriti Mandhana, WIDE! Flatter, full but down the leg side, Smriti Mandhana misses her flick. Wided.

11.4: Kavisha Dilhari to Shafali Verma, Dragged back, on middle, Shafali Verma moves back and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

11.3: Kavisha Dilhari to Shafali Verma, Quicker, shoritsh and on off, Shafali Verma opens the bat face and guides it to short third.

11.2: Kavisha Dilhari to Shafali Verma, FOUR! Gets it through! Kavisha Dilhari drops it short and outside off. Shafali Verma uses the width on offer and cuts it away past the diving cover fielder for a boundary.

11.1: Kavisha Dilhari to Shafali Verma, Tossed up, full and around off, Shafali Verma drives it towards extra cover.

Kavisha Dilhari replaces Chamari Athapaththu.

10.6: Nilakshika Silva to Smriti Mandhana, FOUR! FIFTY FOR SMRITI! Too full, wide of off, Smriti Mandhana goes down on one knee and guides this through the backward point region for a boundary. Smriti Mandhana has paced her innings well so far. 36th T20I fifty for Smriti. 

10.5: Nilakshika Silva to Shafali Verma, Good length, on middle and off, Shafali Verma works this through mid on for one run. 

10.4: Nilakshika Silva to Smriti Mandhana, Good length, on middle and off, Smriti Mandhana tucks this through the leg side for one run. 

10.4: Nilakshika Silva to Smriti Mandhana, WIDE! On a length, wide down the leg side. Wided. 

10.3: Nilakshika Silva to Smriti Mandhana, SIX! That's been tonked out of the park. Full and on the pads, Smriti Mandhana goes down on one knee and slog sweeps this bang on the boundary cushion towards the deep backward square leg region for a biggie. 

10.2: Nilakshika Silva to Shafali Verma, Tossed up, on middle and off, Shafali Verma punches this through mid on for a run. 

10.1: Nilakshika Silva to Smriti Mandhana, Fuller on the pads, Smriti Mandhana tucks this through square leg for a single. 

DRINKS! It has been an excellent start by India Women openers. Both Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana have made sure to hit boundaries at regular intervals and they have put pressure right back on the opposition in this title decider. Shafali Verma has her eyes set on a triple-figure mark as she is looking in sublime touch and Smriti too is going really well. Sri Lanka Women will need to break through this opening pair and take a few wickets in a cluster to bounce back in the game before it goes out of their hands. 

9.6: Chamari Athapaththu to Shafali Verma, Yorker, on off, Shafali Verma jams it out. 

9.5: Chamari Athapaththu to Smriti Mandhana, Floated around off, Smriti Mandhana punches this through covers for no run. 

9.4: Chamari Athapaththu to Shafali Verma, Pushed through on the pads, Shafali Verma flicks this through the square leg region for a single. 

9.3: Chamari Athapaththu to Smriti Mandhana, Quicker one, on middle and off, Smriti Mandhana drills this down to long on for a single. 

9.2: Chamari Athapaththu to Smriti Mandhana, Arm-delivery, around middle and off, Smriti Mandhana gets it edged off the outside edge to the short third fielder for no run. 

9.1: Chamari Athapaththu to Smriti Mandhana, FOUR! That's been lofted over the fielder for four runs. Tossed up, around off, Smriti Mandhana gets close to the pitch of the ball and lofts this up and over extra cover for a boundary more. 

8.6: Chamudi Praboda to Smriti Mandhana, Fuller, on the pads, Smriti Mandhana slog sweeps this to deep mid-wicket for one run. 

8.5: Chamudi Praboda to Smriti Mandhana, Darted onto the pads, Smriti Mandhana hits this well but straight to the fielder. 

8.4: Chamudi Praboda to Smriti Mandhana, SIX! An elegant hit for another biggie. Tossed up, on middle and off, Smriti Mandhana gets close to the pitch of the ball and smashes this deep into the crowd towards the long on region for a biggie. 

8.3: Chamudi Praboda to Shafali Verma, Quicker one, on middle and off, Shafali Verma rolls this down to long off for a single. 

8.2: Chamudi Praboda to Shafali Verma, FOUR! There is no stopping Shafali Verma so far. Short of a length, on middle and off, Shafali Verma rocks back and pulls this flat through the cow corner region for a boundary. 

8.1: Chamudi Praboda to Smriti Mandhana, Tossed up, on middle and leg, Smriti Mandhana sweeps this to the left of deep square leg and brings Verma back on strike. 

7.6: Kavisha Dilhari to Smriti Mandhana, Fligthed onto the pads, Smriti Mandhana sweeps this to the deep backward square leg region for a single. 

7.5: Kavisha Dilhari to Shafali Verma, Fuller on middle and off, Shafali Verma rolls this to long off for a single. 

7.4: Kavisha Dilhari to Shafali Verma, FOUR! Short and wide of off, Shafali Verma cuts this through the point region for a boundary to bring up her FIFTY off just 24 balls. What an excellent knock this has been so far by Shafali Verma, and she has bossed the final, showing why she is the leading run-scorer in the tournament.

7.3: Kavisha Dilhari to Smriti Mandhana, LEG BYE! Fuller on the pads, Smriti Mandhana gets it clipped off her pads to the short fine leg region for a leg bye. Had the throw at the striker's end hit the stumps, Shafali Verma would have been out by a fair margin. 

7.2: Kavisha Dilhari to Smriti Mandhana, Quicker one, on the pads, Smriti Mandhana tucks this to square leg for no run.

7.1: Kavisha Dilhari to Smriti Mandhana, Tossed up, around off, Smriti Mandhana punches this towards cover, where the fielder lets it through. Harshitha Samarawickrama chases after it and dives forward to push it back inside. Saves a couple of runs, but it should have been stopped in the circle for a dot.

6.6: Chamudi Praboda to Smriti Mandhana, Darted onto the pads, Smriti Mandhana tucks this through the leg side for one more. 

6.5: Chamudi Praboda to Shafali Verma, Quicker one, on the pads, Shafali Verma milks this through mid-wicket for a single. 

6.4: Chamudi Praboda to Shafali Verma, FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries for Shafali Verma. Flatter and fuller, on middle and off, Shafali Verma goes deep inside the crease and pulls this wide of the mid-wicket fielder to her right for four runs. 

6.3: Chamudi Praboda to Shafali Verma, FOUR! Shafali Verma has raced to 43 with this boundary. Fuller around middle and off, Shafali Verma backs away and lofts this inside out over covers for four runs. 

6.2: Chamudi Praboda to Smriti Mandhana, Fuller, on the pads, Smriti Mandhana sweeps this to the deep square leg region for a single. 

6.1: Chamudi Praboda to Shafali Verma, Short of a length, around off, Shafali Verma punches this to long off for one run. 

Chamudi Praboda comes into the attack. 

5.6: Sugandika Kumari to Smriti Mandhana, Sugandika Kumari ends the Powerplay with another tight over. Under-cutter, around off, Smriti Mandhana punches this off her back foot but straight to extra cover. Just 2 runs off this over. India Women score 57 in the Powerplay. 

5.5: Sugandika Kumari to Smriti Mandhana, Three dots on a trot. Short of a length, on middle and off, Smriti Mandhana cuts this to point for a dot. 

5.4: Sugandika Kumari to Smriti Mandhana, Tossed up, around off, Smriti Mandhana drives this to the left of extra cover for another dot. 

5.3: Sugandika Kumari to Smriti Mandhana, Quicker one, around off, Smriti Mandhana pushes this to extra cover for no run.

5.2: Sugandika Kumari to Shafali Verma, Fuller around off, Shafali Verma drives this to the right of mid off and takes a single. 

5.1: Sugandika Kumari to Smriti Mandhana, Pushed through on middle and off, Smriti Mandhana gently punches this through mid off for one run. 

4.6: Chamari Athapaththu to Shafali Verma, SIX! An expensive start for the skipper of Sri Lanka Women. Tossed up, around middle and off, Shafali Verma gets right on top of the bounce and lofts this up and over the bowler. The ball lands flush on the boundary cushion in front of the sight screen for a six. Also, 50 up for India Women.

4.5: Chamari Athapaththu to Smriti Mandhana, Fuller on the pads, Smriti Mandhana tucks this through mid-wicket for a single. 

Vishmi Gunaratne is down in some pain as she rolled her ankle while throwing it back to the bowler. The team physio is out in the middle and is treating her. Vishmi Gunaratne has left the ground on a stretcher, which is not what you ever want to see. Judging by the visuals, it looks like her final is over, and she was the only change that Sri Lanka Women made for this game.

4.4: Chamari Athapaththu to Shafali Verma, Darted onto the pads, Shafali Verma tucks this to the left of Vishmi Gunaratne at the deep mid-wicket region for a single. Vishmi Gunaratne is down in some pain after she throws it back to the bowler. 

4.3: Chamari Athapaththu to Shafali Verma, SIX! First biggie in the final comes off the bat of Verma. Tossed up, on middle and off, Shafali Verma strides close to the pitch of the ball and smashes this up and over the long on fence for a massive six. 

4.2: Chamari Athapaththu to Shafali Verma, Too full, around off, Verma drives this through the covers region for two runs. Harshitha Samarawickrama gives it a good chase and keeps it down to 2. 

4.1: Chamari Athapaththu to Shafali Verma, FOUR! Chamari Athapaththu is greeted into the attack with a boundary as well. Short and on the pads, Shafali Verma goes deep inside the crease and flicks this over square leg for a boundary. 

Chamari Athapaththu brings herself on. 

3.6: Sugandika Kumari to Smriti Mandhana, Quicker one, on middle and off, Smriti Mandhana punches this to covers. 

3.5: Sugandika Kumari to Smriti Mandhana, FOUR! Delightful from Smriti. Short of a length, on middle and off, Smriti Mandhana rocks back, swivels and hits this over the mid-wicket region for a boundary. 

3.4: Sugandika Kumari to Smriti Mandhana, Pushed through around off, Smriti Mandhana cuts this to point for a dot ball. 

3.3: Sugandika Kumari to Shafali Verma, Quicker one, around middle and off, Shafali Verma hits this well as the ball kept low, through mid-wicket for a single. 

3.2: Sugandika Kumari to Shafali Verma, Floated around off, Shafali Verma jumps down the track and punches this to mid off for a dot. 

3.1: Sugandika Kumari to Smriti Mandhana, Pushed through on middle and off, Smriti Mandhana punches this through the mid off region for a single. 

Sugandika Kumari replaces Kavisha Dilhari. 

2.6: Mithali Ayodhya to Smriti Mandhana, Mithali bowls it on a length, around the pads, Smriti Mandhana tucks this to deep backward square leg for one run. 

2.5: Mithali Ayodhya to Smriti Mandhana, Good length, on off, Smriti Mandhana punches this back to the bowler. 

2.4: Mithali Ayodhya to Shafali Verma, On a length, wide of off, Shafali Verma drives this through point for a single. 

2.3: Mithali Ayodhya to Shafali Verma, FOUR! Boundaries are flying off the bat of Shafali Verma here. Good length, on the pads, Shafali Verma leans inside the line of the ball and gently flicks this from the middle of her bat for a boundary through the mid-wicket region this time. 

2.2: Mithali Ayodhya to Shafali Verma, FOUR! That's been carved late and in the gap for four runs. Back of a length, around off, Shafali Verma plays this late and just opens her bat face to guide this past the right of the fielder at short third for four runs. 

2.1: Mithali Ayodhya to Smriti Mandhana, Good length, on the pads, Smriti Mandhana tucks this through the square leg region for a single. 

1.6: Kavisha Dilhari to Shafali Verma, Flighted, around off, Shafali Verma gives it a good look and leaves it all alone. 

1.5: Kavisha Dilhari to Shafali Verma, Another one that miscues off the cue end and lands behind extra cover for two more runs. Almost an action replay of the previous delivery. 

1.4: Kavisha Dilhari to Shafali Verma, Fuller around off, Shafali Verma looks to force a lofted drive. Gets it sliced just behind extra cover for a brace here. 

1.3: Kavisha Dilhari to Shafali Verma, FOUR! Verma hits her first runs in the form of a boundary. Too full, on middle and off, Shafali Verma goes down on one knee and sweeps this up and over the mid-wicket fielder for four runs. 

1.2: Kavisha Dilhari to Smriti Mandhana, Tossed up, around off, Smriti Mandhana punches this through the mid off region for a single. 

1.1: Kavisha Dilhari to Smriti Mandhana, FOUR! Smriti greets Kavisha Dilhari into the attack with a boundary. Way too short, on off, Smriti Mandhana rocks back and punches this in the gap through the covers region for a boundary. 

It will be spin from the other end with Kavisha Dilhari.

0.6: Mithali Ayodhya to Shafali Verma, Nails the yorker, on middle, tailing in a bit, Shafali Verma can only dig it out on the pitch. Excellent first over from Mithali Ayodhya, just 5 runs off it!

0.5: Mithali Ayodhya to Shafali Verma, Pitched up and on off, Shafali Verma drives it towards mid off.

0.4: Mithali Ayodhya to Shafali Verma, Fuller and on middle, Shafali Verma tucks it towards mid-wicket.

0.3: Mithali Ayodhya to Shafali Verma, Almost dragged on! Hard length and on off, nips back in a bit. Shafali Verma tries to cut too close from her body and gets an inside edge that just goes past the stumps.

0.2: Mithali Ayodhya to Smriti Mandhana, Back of a length and outside off, Smriti Mandhana punches it through cover-point for a single.

0.1: Mithali Ayodhya to Smriti Mandhana, FOUR! Smriti Mandhana and India Women get underway in style! Mithali Ayodhya starts with a good-length delivery, just around off. Mandhana opens the bat face and steers it with superb timing through point for the first boundary of the final.

All in readiness now! We can see that Sri Lanka Women players have already taken up their respective field positions.  Out come the two openers for India Women - Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma. The new ball is in the hands of Mithali Ayodhya, who is raring to go. Let's play...

We are moments away from the start of the final, but first, the players from both sides make their way onto the middle for the national anthems, with the flags unfurling as the ceremony gets underway. Sri Lanka's 'Sri Lanka Matha' will be followed by India's 'Jana Gana Mana', before the players get ready for the action.

Pre-match thoughts - India Women's premier all-rounder, Deepti Sharma, says she would not change her approach coming into the final, as her mindset, the pitch and the conditions remained the same. She adds that she always thought about how she could contribute across different phases of the game. Deepti mentions Sri Lanka have a strong side that is well mixed with youth and experience, making every contest between the two teams a good game. She adds that they know their quality and will not take them lightly, instead focusing on their own plans. Deepti confirms that the team had made plans after watching Sri Lanka's semi-final against Pakistan, although she was not willing to reveal them. Deepti shares that all 40 overs will be crucial in deciding the final, with India aware of how the ball is expected to behave on the pitch. She adds that the bowlers will look to hit the right areas throughout the innings. On what winning the Asia Cup would mean to her, Deepti says it will be a significant achievement personally and adds that she wants to help the younger players, just as the seniors supported her when she first came into the side.

The skipper of Sri Lanka Women - Chamari Athapaththu says Sri Lanka would have chosen to bowl first if they had won the toss, as they back their skills and have bowled well in their last few games. She adds that the team was happy with the situation either way. Chamari says successfully defending the title will be a very good achievement for both her and the team. She adds that Sri Lanka, as a country, wants to play good cricket and keep improving, while the team has good players who need to stick to their plans and look to play positive cricket in the middle. Chamari confirms that they have also made one change, with Vishmi Gunaratne returning to the side in place of Sanjana Kavindi.

The captain of India Women - Harmanpreet Kaur says that in a big game like this, having runs on the board would be a positive, which prompted the team to opt to bat first. She adds that every final carries its own pressure and, despite the memories of the 2024 Asia Cup Final, the focus was on treating it as a new day, staying in the moment and playing good cricket. Harmanpreet confirms that they have made one change to their XI, with Pratika Rawal resting and G Kamalini coming into the side. She feels Kamalini has plenty of ability and hopes the youngster enjoys the occasion. On the batting approach, Harmanpreet says the team is not thinking too far ahead and wants to make the most of the Powerplay before assessing how many runs they can get.

Sri Lanka Women (Playing XI) - Chamari Athapaththu (C), Imesha Dulani, Hasini Perera, Vishmi Gunaratne (In place of Sanjana Kavindi), Harshitha Samarawickrama, Kavisha Dilhari, Nilakshika Silva, Kaushini Nuthyangana (WK), Sugandika Kumari, Chamudi Praboda, Mithali Ayodhya.

India Women (Playing XI) - Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Harmanpreet Kaur (C), G Kamalini (In place of Pratika Rawal), Richa Ghosh (WK), Deepti Sharma, Bharti Fulmali, Prema Rawat, Sree Charani, Kranti Gaud, Nandani Sharma.