2024 Women's Asia Cup Final: India vs Sri Lanka- 3 PM (IST)

2024 Women's Asia Cup Final: India vs Sri Lanka, 3 PM (IST)

India is to Asia Cups what Australia is to World Cups. Even if they never have taken it for granted, their berth in the title clash is almost always a given.

The competition is barely over to see which opponent can put up a fight to challenge the norm. Duly, India have made the ninth straight final and will go into Sunday's summit clash as overwhelming favourites once again.

However, a spirited Sri Lanka stood in their way of claiming the subcontinental bragging rights for the eighth time in nine attempts.

India have barely been hassled on their path to the final, as they mercilessly swatted aside all competition. Whether it were the two entrants from the qualifying competition, who barely stood a chance in the 200+ and 180-run chases, or the more experienced opponents in Pakistan and Bangladesh, who were both crunched comprehensively in sub-par run-chases,. That the statement 10-wicket win in the semifinal against Bangladesh—the only team Harmanpreet & Co. have lost a final to in Asia Cup T20 history—wasn't even with their strongest XI on the park just underscores India's form at the moment.

With D Hemalatha backed at no. 3 consistently - and even afforded an opportunity to open in lieu of Smriti Mandhana against Nepal - India's batting department has looked settled and is among runs.

The bowling, led by highest wicket-taker of he competition Deepti Sharma, has functioned like a well-oiled machine.

Among the biggest gains for India in this tournament has been the crucial game-time Shafali Verma and Renuka Thakur needed to find their mojo back, and both have notched up a Player of the Match each to mark their return to form.

The late entry of left-arm spinner Tanuja Kanwer, and her miserly spells in the three games thus far, are a testament to India's preparedness for the World Cup that is now just two months away.

The frontline squad is in form, and the immediate bench has given management the always pleasant problem of plenty.

Chamari Athapaththu would want her team to focus on win the match to own the cup.

Hosts Sri Lanka were the only other team to not drop a game en route to the final, and they have had plenty of positives to build on as they look to challenge India's stronghold.

Sri Lanka's success in the competition, as has been the case in the recent resurgence at the highest level too, has come on the back of its prolific run-maker, who is their captain. Athapaththu has three Player of the Match awards in Sri Lanka's four games, including the semifinal.

However, the contributions around her have continued to grow.

Against Bangladesh in their tournament opener, it was fellow opener Vishmi Gunaratne (51) and Harshitha Samarawickrama (33) who stepped up when the skipper fell early. Gunaratne played a supporting hand in their 10-wicket win over Thailand too.

When Athapaththu departed for 63 in the semis, leaving Sri Lanka with 21 more to get in 20 deliveries, the lower-middle order stepped up to eke out a penultimate-ball win by three wickets and send Pakistan packing.

Anushka Sanjeewani, the wicketkeeper-batter, has now twice made brisk contributions under two very different circumstances - once when the skipper had laid out a solid platform and then, with the final spot on the line, when the captain needed someone to absorb some pressure at the other end.

Led by the tournament joint third-highest wicket-taker Kavisha Dilhari, the spin unit is slowly finding its rhythm too and will be banking on the home conditions to keep the on-roll Indian batting in check.

Last edition's final, between the same sides, turned out to be a one-sided dud affair. With an eager home crowd for support for this time, Sri Lanka would be keen to not let that repeat at least as they aim to become only the second team to end India's subcontinental supremacy.

When: Sri Lanka vs India, Final, Sunday, July 28 at 3 PM

Where: Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, Dambulla

What to expect: The conditions have been fairly good for batting with India even posting a 200+ score during the group stages. Batting first should be the preferred choice of the captain winning the toss given the afternoon fixture. A cloudy, windy day forecast with rain interruptions unlikely.

Team News

India: After experimenting a bit to test their bench strength, India should revert to their strongest available XI for the title clash.

Probable XI: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, D Hemalatha, Haramnpreet Kaur (C), Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (wk), Pooja Vastrakar, Deepti Sharma, Radha adav, Tanuja Kanwar, Renuka Thakur

Sri Lanka: Even though a case could be made for the inclusion of the rare left-arm wristspinner in Shashini Gimhani, the hosts could likely opt for the experienced in their bid for the first Asia Cup title.

Probable XI: Vishmi Gunaratne, Chamari Athapaththu (C), Harshitha Samarawickrama, Hasini Perera, Anushka Sanjeewani (wk), Kavisha Dilhari, Nilakshi de Silva, Inoshi Priyadharshani, Udeshika Prabodhani, Sugandika Kumari, Achini Kulasuriya

Did you know?

- Jemimah Rodrigues is set to play her 100th T20I for India

- Chamari Athapaththu is 73 runs away from breaking into the all time top-five highest run-getters in WT20Is

- Kavisha Dilhari needs 2 wickets to complete 50 in the format; Sugandika Kumari is 3 away from 100

- Smriti Mandhana is 67 runs away from completing 3500 in Wt20Is while Harmanpreet Kaur needs 85

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