Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed immense pride and congratulated the Indian women’s cricket team on Tuesday after they captured India’s first gold medal of the 2026 Asian Games with a record-shattering 147-run triumph over Sri Lanka in the final. Led with tactical authority by captain Harmanpreet Kaur, the Women in Blue successfully defended their continental crown, repeating their golden triumph from the previous edition with an all-round masterclass. Posting a mammoth total of 216 for three in their 20 overs, India dismantled the Sri Lankan batting lineup with fiery precision, bowling them out for a mere 69 runs in 15.4 overs to trigger nationwide celebrations.
‘A Remarkable Victory of Skill and Teamwork’: PM Narendra Modi Celebrates Landmark Gold
Applauding the commanding victory in an official message issued through the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO India) handle on X, Prime Minister Modi hailed the historic sporting milestone, calling it a splendid triumph for Indian cricket. The Prime Minister noted that the gold-medal performance served as a breathtaking display of self-confidence, athletic skill, and cohesive teamwork on the continental stage. Highlighting that this monumental victory delivered the country’s first gold medal at the 2026 Asian Games, Modi stated that the entire nation is filled with pride and emphasized that the team’s relentless grit will serve as an enduring inspiration for millions of young athletes and aspiring female cricketers across the country.
Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, and Richa Ghosh Unleash Powerhouse Batting Blitz
The lopsided final was headlined by an explosive batting display from the Indian top order, anchored by star opener Smriti Mandhana’s blistering half-century. The left-handed maestro took the Sri Lankan bowling attack to the cleaners, hammering 79 runs off just 45 deliveries with five boundaries and seven towering sixes. Aggressive opening partner Shafali Verma provided a blazing start with a quickfire 48 off 29 balls, while wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh delivered late-innings fireworks with a whirlwind 49 runs off only 22 balls, striking six fours and three massive sixes. The collective batting onslaught propelled India to an insurmountable target, completely overwhelming Sri Lanka and ensuring India’s golden supremacy in Asian women’s cricket remains untamed.