The victory, built on an all-round batting performance followed by disciplined bowling, marks India's second consecutive women's cricket gold at the continental Games, after also defeating Sri Lanka in the final at the previous edition in Hangzhou.
Smriti Mandhana anchored the innings with 79 runs off 45 balls, hitting seven sixes and five fours. Shafali Verma supported with 48 off 29 balls, and Ghosh added a late flourish of 49 off 22 deliveries — the highest individual score in the history of Asian Games women's cricket, according to IANS.
India's 216/3 broke the previous Games record of 202/4, set by Hong Kong against Mongolia at the 2023 Hangzhou edition. It also surpassed the previous highest total in a women's T20 final worldwide, the 210 posted by Brazil against Spain earlier in 2026.
"It feels really good, I am very happy. And obviously, when you have a gold medal, there is a completely different feeling, and I am feeling really good," Ghosh said.
Bowlers seal the contest
Chasing 217, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 69, with Chamari Athapaththu top-scoring at 29 off 21 balls. Deepti Sharma led India's attack with figures of 3 for 6, while Shafali Verma, Sree Charani and Shreyanka Patil each took two wickets as India kept up sustained pressure through the innings.
Patil's pre-final manifestation
All-rounder Shreyanka Patil said she had visualised the podium moment before the match began. "I was very excited before this game. I was already thinking that I'm going to wear the gold medal because I love manifesting and visualising. So, yeah, very happy and grateful to be wearing this gold medal and standing on the podium," she said.
Patil said she planned to call her parents and mark the win with dinner, adding that she had developed a taste for Japanese food during the tour. "It's a very special day for me personally. So, I think I'll just call my parents and then show them the medal and also have good dinner," she said, adding that she enjoys sushi alongside Indian cuisine.
She said her parents follow her matches closely on television and would be among the first she calls after reaching the team bus.
What's next
The medal extends India's dominance in women's continental cricket after Hangzhou 2023. Further reaction from the Board of Control for Cricket in India and the full playing squad is expected in the coming days.
With inputs from IANS
