Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

India favourites but Sri Lanka won't be pushovers in Women's Asia Cup final

Written by 
Published in Cricket
Saturday, 27 July 2024 10:53

Match details

India vs Sri Lanka, Women's T20 Asia Cup final Dambulla, July 27, 3pm local time

Big Picture: India and Sri Lanka neck and neck

It's 2004. India vs Sri Lanka, the inaugural Women's Asia Cup. India win 5-0 (it was a five-match bilateral ODI series). Cut to 2024. India vs Sri Lanka again, in a title decider. The format has changed, there were plenty more teams involved but one of them stands above the rest. Over the last two decades, India have grown into a powerhouse, winning all barring one edition of the tournament. They remain favourites to defend their crown, but will likely be pushed a little harder this time.
Sri Lanka have enjoyed remarkable sporting success since 2023, beating quality sides such as England, New Zealand, West Indies, Pakistan and Bangladesh, and falling short only against Australia and India. In these tales of glory, they have found several match-winners and have churned out the kind of consistent performances that had previously eluded them. The fans recognise this too. The stadiums for this tournament have been packed.
In terms of numbers at this Asia Cup, India and Sri Lanka have scored 559 and 504 runs, respectively. India have witnessed four half-centuries from four different players and for Sri Lanka, Chamari Athapaththu and Vishmi Gunratane have crossed the 50-mark. With the ball, India and Sri Lanka have taken 31 and 27 wickets respectively. There really is very little separating them this time.

For India, clinching an Asia Cup might seem like a mile marker on the road to bigger things - the T20 World Cup is coming up in October. But for Sri Lanka, a win on Sunday could have far-reaching effects. It could inspire more girls to pick up cricket. It could form the basis of a pay rise or kick off a conversation about a women's T20 league. The first win is always special. But is it coming home, Sri Lanka?

Sri Lanka WWWWL (last five completed matches, most recent first)
India WWWWW

In the spotlight: Chamari Athapaththu and Smriti Mandhana

Chamari Athapaththu is always the biggest threat to any of Sri Lanka's opponents. Only once in this tournament, has she failed to cross the 40-run mark. Her versatile 63 against Pakistan in the semi-final proved she doesn't succumb to the pressure of playing in front of a loud home crowd.
For India, Smriti Mandhana will be crucial. The vice-captain has 435 runs in T20Is this year at an average of 43.50, making her the highest run-getter for India and the third-highest overall. An aggressive opener, she is also capable of playing the anchor role when wickets fall around her.

Team news: Full-strength XIs on the cards

Athapaththu had strapping on her right arm, but she was good to play through any pain on Friday. Sri Lanka opener Gunaratne had limped off the field against Pakistan in the first innings but came out to bat during the chase.

Sri Lanka (probable): 1 Vishmi Gunaratne, 2 Chamari Athapaththu (capt), 3 Harshitha Samarawickrama, 4 Hasini Perera, 5 Anushka Sanjeewani (wk), 6 Kavisha Dilhari, 7 Nilakshika Silva, 8 Inoshi Priyadharshani, 9 Udeshika Prabodhani, 10 Sugandika Kumari, 11 Achini Kulasuriya

The young keeper-batter Uma Chetry replaced D Hemalatha at No. 3, in India's semi-final against Bangladesh. Chetry didn't get a chance to bat on Friday with the openers chasing down the target comfortably. They are likely to hand Chetry another opportunity with Hemalatha failing to notch an impactful innings in the last few months.

India (probable): 1 Shafali Verma, 2 Smriti Mandhana, 3 Uma Chetry, 4 Harmanpreet Kaur (capt), 5 Jemimah Rodrigues, 6 Richa Ghosh (wk), 7 Deepti Sharma, 8 Pooja Vastrakar, 9 Radha Yadav, 10 Tanuja Kanwar, 11 Renuka Singh

Pitch and conditions: Runs galore

The weather looks clear for Sunday. Friday's day game had some cloud cover, which was nice for the players but if that isn't the case, it could be humid to start. The Dambulla track is expected to be batting-friendly.

Stats that matter: Athapaththu leads the way as captain

Read 67 times

Soccer

Mexico coach hit in head by beer can in Honduras

Mexico coach hit in head by beer can in Honduras

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsA full can of beer thrown from the stands struck Mexico coach Javie...

Lyon handed provisional relegation, transfer ban

Lyon handed provisional relegation, transfer ban

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLyon have been banned from making any transfers in the January tran...

Palma brace lifts Honduras over Mexico in NL

Palma brace lifts Honduras over Mexico in NL

A brace from Luis Palma on Friday carried Honduras to a 2-0 Concacaf Nations League victory over Mex...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Fox scores franchise-best 60 but Kings lose in OT

Fox scores franchise-best 60 but Kings lose in OT

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsSACRAMENTO, Calif. -- When De'Aaron Fox saw that he had 48 points i...

Harden tied with Allen for second in all-time 3s

Harden tied with Allen for second in all-time 3s

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsHOUSTON -- LA Clippers star James Harden moved into a tie with Hall...

Baseball

Ferrara, who won 2 titles with Dodgers, dies at 84

Ferrara, who won 2 titles with Dodgers, dies at 84

EmailPrintFormer outfielder Al "The Bull" Ferrara died Friday, the Los Angeles Dodgers announced. He...

Low and inside: O's will again alter LF dimensions

Low and inside: O's will again alter LF dimensions

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsBALTIMORE -- The Orioles are ready to adjust their wall in left fie...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated