Spinner Shree Charani became the first Indian to pick more than 35 women’s T20I wickets in a calendar year on Sunday (September 13). She picked her 36th scalp of 2026 in the Women’s Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
The milestone wicket was quite soft but an important one. Sri Lanka’s middle-order lynchpin Harshitha Samarawickrama tried to hit a straight ball from her down the ground but ended up chipping it straight back to the bowler for a caught-and-bowled. It left Sri Lanka reeling at 86/4 in the chase of 184.
Charani then struck twice in the 16th over to trigger a huge collapse. Kavisha Dilhari came down the track looking to go inside-out but only managed a top edge, with Nandani Sharma diving forward
at short third man to complete a superb low catch.
Two balls later, Nilakshika Silva attempted a sweep against a tossed-up delivery but miscued it towards deep midwicket, where Gunalan Kamalini held on comfortably near the ropes. Sri Lanka were suddenly 101/6.
India beat Sri Lanka by 72 runs
Sri Lanka’s chase of 184 began with Chamari Athapaththu providing some resistance alongside Vishmi Gunaratne. The pair added 58 for the second wicket before India struck twice in the 10th over to seize control.
Deepti Sharma ended Athapaththu’s stay on 36 when the Sri Lankan captain charged down the pitch but was beaten in flight, with Richa Ghosh completing the stumping. Three balls later, Gunaratne attempted a sweep but was bowled around her legs, leaving Sri Lanka at 63/3.
India continued to squeeze the defending champions, with Charani leading the middle-overs charge. Sri Lanka never found the acceleration required in a chase of 184 and were eventually bowled out for 111 in 20 overs. Charani finished with four wickets for 20 runs, while Deepti claimed 2/15 as India completed a 72-run victory.
Earlier, Shafali Verma’s 68 and Smriti Mandhana’s 59 had powered India to 183/5 through a 129-run opening stand, setting up India’s record-extending eighth Women’s Asia Cup title.
