Asian Games / India Women Elect to Bat First Against Sri Lanka in Asian Games Gold Medal Clash

Nisshin, Sep 22: India Women opted to bat first against Sri Lanka in the gold medal clash at Korogi Sports Park on Tuesday.

The defending champions have retained the same playing XI that defeated Bangladesh in the semi-final. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, have also made no changes to their team for the title clash as they look to bounce back from their recent defeats against India.

The match is a rematch of the 2023 Asian Games final and the Women’s Asia Cup clash earlier this month, with India emerging victorious on both occasions.

India, the defending gold medallists, came into the final after beating Japan and Bangladesh in the quarterfinal and semifinal, respectively. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka got the better of Malaysia and Pakistan in their previous two matches to make their way into the gold medal game.

Sri Lanka are two-time medallists at the Asiad but are hunting for their maiden gold medal after winning bronze in 2014 and settling for silver in 2022. Meanwhile, India participated only once before in the cricket event at the continental showpiece and won the gold in 2023.

For India, Shafali Verma has been in outstanding form, scoring her maiden white-ball century in the semi-final against Bangladesh. She became the first player to score a century in the women’s Asian Games. India’s bowlers have also impressed, with Sree Charani, Deepti Sharma and Nandini Sharma among those making an impact.

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For Sri Lanka, captain Chamari Athapaththu remains a key player. She returned to form with an unbeaten 83 off 50 balls in the semi-final against Pakistan, helping Sri Lanka chase down a target after Pakistan posted 178. Hasini Perera also contributed with 42.

Playing XIs:
Sri Lanka Women Playing XI: Imesha Dulani, Chamari Athapaththu(c), Hasini Perera, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Kavisha Dilhari, Hansima Karunaratne, Kaushani Nuthyangana(w), Mithali Ayodhya, Kawya Kavindi, Chamudi Praboda, Sugandika Kumari

India Women Playing XI: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Gunalan Kamalini, Harmanpreet Kaur(c), Richa Ghosh(w), Bharti Fulmali, Deepti Sharma, Shreyanka Patil, Shree Charani, Nandani Sharma, Kranti Gaud

(IANS)