Sri Lanka defeated India by 8 wickets in a thrilling final match of the Women's Asia Cup 2024. Harshita Samarawickrama's blazing batting in the death overs led Sri Lanka's successful chase of 166 and sealed their first ever Asia Cup title. Despite strong performances by Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Richa Ghosh for India, fielding errors and lack of bowling strength cost them the game. Radha Yadav's disastrous over proved to be the turning point in the match as she leaked 17 runs, leaving India unable to make a comeback.
India vs Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka Clinch Inaugural Women's Asia Cup Title in Dramatic Fashion
The cricketing world witnessed an enthralling conclusion to the inaugural Women's Asia Cup 2024 as Sri Lanka upset tournament favorites India to claim their maiden title.
Match Recap
Batting first, India posted a competitive 165/5 on the board, thanks to a century from Smriti Mandhana (100) and contributions from Jemimah Rodrigues (34) and Richa Ghosh (28).
Sri Lanka's chase got off to a solid start, with Chamari Athapaththu (35) and Vishmi Gunaratne (29) setting the foundation. However, it was Harshita Samarawickrama's (64*) heroics that ultimately sealed the victory for her team.
The 22-year-old left-hander smashed a whirlwind 44 runs off just 18 balls in the death overs, steering Sri Lanka to a thrilling eight-wicket triumph with an over to spare.
Key Moments
Historical Context
The Women's Asia Cup is a relatively new tournament, having been introduced in 2012. India has won all four previous editions and entered the 2024 event as heavy favorites.
Sri Lanka, on the other hand, had never reached the final before this year's tournament. Their victory represents a significant upset and a testament to the growing strength of women's cricket in the region.
Top 5 FAQs
1. Who was Player of the Match in the final? Harshita Samarawickrama for her match-winning 64*
2. Who was the highest run-scorer in the tournament? Smriti Mandhana (219 runs)
3. Which team won the first-ever Women's Asia Cup in 2012? India
4. How many times has India won the Women's Asia Cup? 4 times (2012, 2016, 2018, 2022)
5. Who are the other teams that participated in the 2024 Women's Asia Cup? Pakistan, Bangladesh, Thailand, Malaysia, and the UAE
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