India will bat first against Sri Lanka in the women’s cricket gold medal match at the Asian Games 2026. The final is held on Tuesday at Korogi Sports Park and the teams will keep the playing XI of the two semi-finalists.
India, the defending Asian Games champions, will enter this title match with the same side after beating Bangladesh in the semifinal. Sri Lanka also haven’t changed their line-up, just like India who have decided not to change anything against the Women in Blue.
The final marks the second time between the two teams since India defeated Sri Lanka in the 2023 Asian Games final and also won against them in the Women’s Asia Cup earlier this month. Sri Lanka will therefore try to reverse the recent results with India and end their campaign with their first Asian Games gold medal.
India's route to the final included wins over Japan in the quarterfinal and Bangladesh in the semi. The title holders have performed well in the knockout stage and they have kept up the production in the batting and bowling units.
Sri Lanka secured their place in the gold medal match after beating Malaysia in the quarterfinal and Pakistan in the semifinal. Their semifinal victory was a special one as captain Chamari Athapaththu put in a match-winning innings to take her side to the final.
Shafali Verma In Focus For India
India will have a lot of confidence in their batting lineup, given Shafali Verma’s excellent performance in the semis against Bangladesh. Shafali scored her first white-ball century in the match and became the first player to hit a hundred in the women’s Asian Games cricket competition.
Her form provides India with an attacking option at the top of the order alongside Smriti Mandhana. Gunalan Kamalini, Harmanpreet Kaur and wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh are also in India’s unchanged batting unit.
India's bowling team has also impressed in the tournament. Sree Charani, Deepti Sharma and Nandani Sharma are all bowlers who have contributed to the team’s successful run to the final. Shreyanka Patil and Kranti Gaud help India attack.
Because of the gold medal at stake, India will be able to put up a decent total if they try to bat first and put pressure on Sri Lanka during the chase.
Chamari Athapaththu Key For Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka will once again look to their captain Chamari Athapaththu for inspiration. The experienced opener produced a superb unbeaten 83 off 50 balls in the semifinal against Pakistan.
Athapaththu’s innings played a vital role in Sri Lanka’s successful chase of Pakistan’s 178. Hasini Perera also contributed 42 runs and Sri Lanka was able to get the momentum to win the gold medal match.
Sri Lanka's batting lineup also consists of Harshitha Samarawickrama and Kavisha Dilhari, while Kaushani Nuthyangana takes the wicketkeeping job. The team will need contributions from players across the lineup against an Indian bowling attack that has been dominant in the tournament.
India vs Sri Lanka Gold Medal History
The final is even more important for both teams since they have so much in common at the Asian Games. Sri Lanka has won two medals in women's cricket, having secured bronze in 2014 and silver in 2022. They are now seeking their first Asian Games gold medal.
India participated in cricket in the continental event only once before this edition. They won the gold medal in 2023 and their title is now on hold.
The decision to keep the same XIs also suggests both teams have faith in the players who helped them to the finals. India will field first after winning the toss and Sri Lanka will try to make early progress in the game with the ball and chase the target later in the match in a bid to get into the game.
With the Asian Games gold medal on the line, the India-Sri Lanka match brings together two teams that know each other well and sets up another chapter in their recent rivalry.
India Women Playing XI
Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Gunalan Kamalini, Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Richa Ghosh (wicketkeeper), Bharti Fulmali, Deepti Sharma, Shreyanka Patil, Shree Charani, Nandani Sharma and Kranti Gaud.
Sri Lanka Women Playing XI
Imesha Dulani, Chamari Athapaththu (captain), Hasini Perera, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Kavisha Dilhari, Hansima Karunaratne, Kaushani Nuthyangana (wicketkeeper), Mithali Ayodhya, Kawya Kavindi, Chamudi Praboda and Sugandika Kumari.
