Shafali, Smriti dazzle as India reclaim the Womens Asia Cup in style

Brief Scores: India (183/5) beat Sri Lanka (111 all-out in 20 ovs) by 72 runs to win Women's Asia Cup. (Shafali Verma 68, Smriti Mandhana 59; Shree Charani 4/20)

India showed exactly why they were crowned continental champions, producing a ruthless all-round performance to dismantle Sri Lanka and claim a record eighth Women's Asia Cup title.

The foundation was laid by Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana, who tore into the Sri Lankan attack with a sensational 129-run opening stand. Shafali’s 68 off 39 balls and Mandhana’s 59 off 39 gave India the perfect launchpad, taking them to 183 for 5.

If Sri Lanka hoped to fight back in the chase, India quickly snuffed out those hopes. Shree Charani led the spin choke with a superb four-wicket haul, while Deepti Sharma chipped in with two wickets. Together, they kept Sri Lanka under relentless pressure as the defending champions were bowled out for 111.

India had the batters to build the total and the bowlers to strangle the chase. It was a complete performance, and a statement that the continental throne remains firmly theirs.