Shafali, Mandhana power India to eighth Asia Cup title

A dominant opening partnership from Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana, followed by an unyielding spin performance, propelled India to a commanding 72-run victory over Sri Lanka in Dubai, sealing their eighth Women's T20 Asia Cup title. India's decision to bat first paid immediate dividends as Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana dismantled the Sri Lankan bowling attack from the outset. Shafali set the tone early, combining brute force with smart placement against both pace and spin. She brought up her half-century in just 24 balls—the fastest fifty in Women's T20 Asia Cup history—powering India to 57 without loss at the end of the powerplay. Mandhana soon found her groove as well, anchoring the other end before accelerating to a 36-ball fifty. Together, the pair put on 129 runs for the opening wicket, establishing the highest partnership for any wicket in the tournament's history. Sri Lanka briefly clawed their way back into the match around the 13th over. Chamudi Praboda broke the record stand by removing Shafali for 68, and a costly mix-up with captain Harmanpreet Kaur led to Mandhana being run out for 59 just five balls later. Despite a flurry of quick wickets late in the innings, a crisp last-over cameo from debutant G Kamalini helped propel India to a formidable total of 183 for 5. Faced with a daunting target of 184, Sri Lanka’s chase faltered early. Imesha Dulani was bowled in the opening over trying to scoop Kranti Gaud, while Vishmi Gunaratne suffered an ankle injury in the field before returning to bat under clear physical strain. Sri Lankan captain Chamari Athapaththu offered resistance, top-scoring with 36, but struggled to keep up with the steep required run rate against tight opening spells from India's pacers. The defining blow came in the tenth over when Deepti Sharma deceived Athapaththu with sharp turn, allowing Richa Ghosh to complete a quick stumping. Deepti struck again in the same over to remove Gunaratne, effectively putting the chase out of reach. From there, India’s spin unit took total control. N Shree Charani delivered a stunning spell, claiming 4 for 20, which included a sharp return catch to dismiss Harshitha Samarawickrama and a double-wicket over to tear through Sri Lanka's middle order. Despite India missing five chances in the field, Sri Lanka was unable to capitalize, eventually being bowled out for 111 on the final delivery of the match. With Deepti finishing with 3 for 19 alongside Charani's four-wicket haul, the spin duo capped off a dominant campaign as the tournament's leading wicket-takers, extending India's overwhelming Asia Cup final record against Sri Lanka to 6-1.