In the Women’s Asia Cup 2024 final, Indian opener Smriti Mandhana scored 60 off 47 balls, helping India set a target of 166 runs with a total of 165/6. Sri Lanka is now pursuing this target to secure their first Women’s Asia Cup title.
Despite losing wickets at one end, Mandhana anchored the innings with her valuable 60 runs. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur was dismissed for a modest 11 runs. Contributions from Jemimah Rodrigues (29) and Richa Ghosh (30 off 14 balls) were also instrumental in reaching India’s total.
Sri Lanka has made a strong start in their chase, and the target seems achievable for them. The Indian bowlers will need to mount a strong comeback if they are to secure their eighth Asia Cup title.
India and Bangladesh are the only two teams to have won the Women’s Asia Cup. Bangladesh clinched the title in 2018, defeating India in the final. India, the defending champions, won the 2022 edition by defeating Sri Lanka in the final.
Smriti Mandhana’s Batting Prowess In Knockouts – Registers Most Fifty-Plus Scores in Women’s T20I Knockouts
5 – Smriti Mandhana (15 Inns)
5 – Beth Mooney(11 Inns)
3 – Harmanpreet Kaur (16 Inns)
3 – Meg Lanning(17 Inns)
Smriti Mandhana has now set a record for the most fifty-plus scores in Women’s T20I knockout matches, achieving her fifth such score in just 15 innings. She leads this category, with Australia’s Beth Mooney in second place, also with five fifty-plus scores. Harmanpreet Kaur has three fifty-plus scores in 16 innings, while Meg Lanning has three in 17 innings.
In 2024, Mandhana is also the top run-scorer in Women’s international cricket, amassing 1,016 runs so far. Sri Lankan captain Chamari Athapaththu, who has been in outstanding form this year, could increase her tally as she is currently batting in the final. Before the Asia Cup final, Athapaththu had scored 295 runs and could surpass the 350-run mark. She has already gone past 50 runs in the final.
Most runs in Women’s Internationals in 2024
1016 – Smriti Mandhana
1007 – Laura Wolvaardt
1002 – Chamari Athapaththu
India, with seven Women’s Asia Cup titles to their name, have been unbeaten so far, showcasing dominant performances. However, Sri Lanka’s current form makes them the favorites for the final. Their bowlers successfully restricted India to a manageable total, and the Sri Lankan captain now holds the key to their success.
Indian openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma have consistently contributed over 100 runs with a strong strike rate exceeding 140, providing both stability and rapid starts. Despite this, they failed to deliver a solid start in the final. The team management will likely be more satisfied with the bowlers’ performance, particularly Deepti Sharma and Renuka Singh.
Deepti Sharma leads the tournament with nine wickets, while Renuka Singh is third with seven. Both have maintained excellent economy rates—4.37 and 4.31 respectively—ensuring tight control and minimal scoring opportunities for opposition batters, particularly during the powerplay and middle overs when they are most active. For India to secure victory, it is crucial for either Deepti or Renuka to take the key wicket of the Sri Lankan captain.
