India's Women Make History with Asian Games Cricket Gold

The Indian women's cricket team made history on Monday, September 25, 2023, by winning the gold medal at the Asian Games for the first time.

They defeated Sri Lanka by 19 runs in a low-scoring final at the Zhejiang University of Technology Pingfeng Cricket Field in Hangzhou, China.

India batted first and were bundled out for 116 in 20.4 overs. Smriti Mandhana top-scored with 36, while Harleen Deol added 26.

Sri Lanka's bowlers were disciplined, with Achini Kulasuriya picking up three wickets and Udeshika Prabodhani taking two.

In reply, Sri Lanka were never really in the chase. They lost wickets at regular intervals and were eventually bowled out for 97 in 19.3 overs.

Rajeshwari Gayakwad was the pick of the Indian bowlers with three wickets, while Renuka Singh Thakur and Deepti Sharma took two wickets each.

The victory was a special one for the Indian women's cricket team, who had never won a medal at the Asian Games before.