IND vs SL Women’s Asia Cup Final: India, Sri Lanka Renew Rivalry in Fight for Continental Crown

Two years after Sri Lanka stunned India in the 2024 Women’s Asia Cup final, the two rivals will meet again with the continental title at stake in Dubai on Sunday.

India will be determined to avenge their eight-wicket defeat in Dambulla, where Chamari Athapaththu and Harshitha Samarawickrama scored crucial half-centuries to guide Sri Lanka to their first Asia Cup crown.

Harmanpreet Kaur’s India have been unbeaten throughout this edition and will be aiming for a record eighth title. Sri Lanka have also reached the final without a defeat and will draw confidence from their previous success against India in the tournament’s biggest match.

India have several players in impressive form, particularly Shafali Verma and Deepti Sharma. But Harmanpreet has urged her side to avoid unnecessary experimentation and simply trust the methods that have taken them this far.

“Rather than trying too many things and thinking of doing something extraordinary, it is all about sticking to your strength, backing yourself and trusting your gut feeling,” Harmanpreet said ahead of the final.

Shafali, Deepti Lead India’s Charge

Shafali Verma has been one of the standout batters of the tournament, scoring 168 runs, including two half-centuries. Her ability to score consistently on Dubai’s slow pitches has provided India with a major advantage at the top of the order.

Smriti Mandhana has also shown her class, including a century against Hong Kong, although two single-digit scores have made Shafali’s consistency particularly valuable.

Deepti Sharma has been just as influential with the ball. She has taken 11 wickets, level with Sri Lanka captain Athapaththu at the top of the tournament’s bowling charts. Deepti has also chipped in with the bat, including a rapid 13 off six deliveries in the semifinal against Bangladesh.

Shree Charani and Prema Rawat have added further strength to India’s spin department, which could become decisive on Dubai’s sluggish surface.

India’s biggest concern, however, has been their fielding. They dropped four catches against Bangladesh in the semifinal after putting down three chances against Pakistan and two against Thailand. Nine dropped catches in four matches is a statistic Harmanpreet’s team will be desperate to improve in the final.

The India captain knows Sri Lanka could make them pay for similar mistakes.

“We have seen whenever we are trying to do something special or something extraordinary, we have always made so many mistakes,” she said.

“Tomorrow’s match is all about trusting yourself and trying to make fewer mistakes on the field. The team which makes fewer mistakes in an important game has more chances to win.”

Sri Lanka Draw Strength From 2024 Triumph

Sri Lanka have demonstrated plenty of character on their route to the final.

Against Pakistan in the semifinal, they were reduced to 5/2 and then 33/4 while chasing 131. Harshitha Samarawickrama’s 36 and Kavisha Dilhari’s 33 helped rebuild the innings before Nilakshika Silva and Kaushini Nuthyangana finished the chase.

Athapaththu has also made a significant impact with the ball, taking 11 wickets to share the tournament lead with Deepti.

The memories of 2024 will provide Sri Lanka with an additional psychological boost. In that final, Athapaththu and Harshitha both struck half-centuries as Sri Lanka comfortably chased India’s 165-run target.

Several players from that victorious Sri Lankan side remain involved, ensuring Sunday’s final carries plenty of history.

Athapaththu will once again be a major threat, but India are aware that stopping Sri Lanka cannot depend on neutralising just one player.

“We definitely want to take her wicket as soon as possible because we know how dangerous she is when she is batting. We want to come up with some solid plans against her, not only against her, but all the batters,” Harmanpreet said.

Dubai Conditions Could Put Spinners In The Spotlight

The Dubai International Cricket Stadium has consistently offered slow and spin-friendly conditions during the tournament.

Batters have generally needed to spend time at the crease before attempting aggressive shots. India have handled those conditions better than most teams, but scoring freely has not always been straightforward.

Harmanpreet expects patience to be crucial in the final.

“You have to really spend some time and then you can go for your shot. Whoever is settled, that person needs to take the responsibility and play till the end,” she said.

That could make the contest between the two spin attacks one of the defining battles of the final. India are likely to rely heavily on Deepti, Shree Charani and Prema Rawat through the middle overs.

India Hold Dominant T20I Record

India have won 25 of their 31 T20I meetings against Sri Lanka, while Sri Lanka have five victories. Their most recent win came in the 2024 Asia Cup final.

Sunday’s clash will mark the third consecutive Asia Cup final between the two teams. India have the stronger overall record, but Sri Lanka have already shown that they can overcome the favourites when the pressure is at its highest.

India vs Sri Lanka Women’s Asia Cup Final: Match Details

Date: September 13, 2026
Time: 8:00 PM IST
Venue: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai
TV: Sony Sports Network
Live Streaming: SonyLIV

IND-W vs SL-W Predicted Playing XIs

India: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Pratika Rawal, Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Richa Ghosh (wicketkeeper), Bharti Fulmali, Deepti Sharma, Prema Rawat, Kranti Gaud, N Shree Charani, Nandani Sharma

Sri Lanka: Chamari Athapaththu (captain), Imesha Dulani, Sanjana Kavindi, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Hasini Perera, Kavisha Dilhari, Nilakshika Silva, Kaushini Nuthyangana (wicketkeeper), Sugandika Kumari, Chamudi Praboda, Mithali Ayodhya