New Delhi: In the Asian Games 2026, the Indian women's cricket team performed brilliantly and defeated Bangladesh by 114 runs in the semi-finals. Batting first, India scored 195 runs for 4 wickets in 20 overs, in response to which Bangladesh was all out for 81 runs in 15.4 overs. With this victory, the Indian team has confirmed its place in the gold medal match. Now India will face Sri Lanka in the final on 22 September.
Shefali Verma's stormy century
After winning the toss, Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur decided to bat first. Shefali Verma and Smriti Mandhana gave a fast start to Team India. Shefali played an unbeaten century of 100 runs in just 49 balls. His innings included 9 sixes and 3 fours. This was also Shefali's first century in T20 international cricket.
Smriti Mandhana scored 37 runs in 19 balls, while captain Harmanpreet Kaur scored 40 runs in 33 balls. The 94-run partnership between Shefali and Harmanpreet strengthened the foundation of India's big score.
Bangladeshi team scattered in front of the target of 196 runs
Bangladesh team, which came to chase the target of 196 runs given by India, could not stand against the Indian bowlers and was all out for 81 runs in 15.4 overs.
For India, Nandini Sharma and Deepti Sharma bowled brilliantly and took 3 wickets each. Whereas Shri Charani got 2 wickets. In front of this performance of Indian bowlers, Bangladesh's batting appeared to be under complete pressure.
Japan was also defeated in the quarter finals
Earlier, the Indian women's team had entered the semi-finals by defeating Japan by 8 wickets in the quarter-finals. Batting first, the Japanese team was all out for 57 runs in 19.5 overs. India had won the match by scoring 59 runs losing 2 wickets in 30 balls i.e. 5 overs.
India's strong record against Bangladesh
India's record against Bangladesh in women's T20 international cricket has also been strong. According to the available head-to-head data, out of 25 matches between the two teams, India has won 22 matches, while Bangladesh has won 3 matches.
India also won the title in Asia Cup
Before the Asian Games, the Indian women's team had won the Women's Asia Cup title in September itself. India won the trophy for a record eighth time by defeating Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the final. In that match, Shefali Verma and Smriti Mandhana batted brilliantly, while Shri Charani played an important role in bowling.
Now clash with Sri Lanka for gold medal
In the first semi-final of Asian Games 2026 women's cricket, Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan by 8 wickets and made it to the final. Now India and Sri Lanka will face each other in the gold medal match on 22 September.
Indian women's team
Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Bharti Fulmali, Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Richa Ghosh (wicketkeeper), Gunalan Kamalini, Deepti Sharma, Shreyanka Patil, Shree Charani, Nandini Sharma and Kranti Gaur.
Bangladesh women's team
Dilara Akhtar, Zuaria Firdous, Shobhana Mostari, Nigar Sultana (WK/Captain), Sharna Akhtar, Sharmin Akhtar, Shanjeeda Akhtar Meghla, Rabeya Khan, Nahida Akhtar, Marufa Akhtar, Sultana Khatoon.
Also read: Asian Games 2026: India's explosive start with Deepika's 8 goals, thrashing Uzbekistan 19-0