"Incredible consistency by Queen of World Cricket" - Fans react as Smriti Mandhana scores 60 off 47 balls in IND vs SL Women’s Asia Cup final
India vice-captain Smriti Mandhana starred with the bat against Sri Lanka in the Women’s Asia Cup final at Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Sunday, July 28. The left-hander scored 60 runs off 47 balls with the help of 10 boundaries. Mandhana continued scoring even as the wickets tumbled on the other end. It was her 26th fifty in T20Is. Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu eventually caught her at deep mid-wicket off Kavisha Dilhari.
Mandhana also slammed a half-century against Bangladesh in the semifinals. The southpaw scored an unbeaten 55 off 39 as India won by 10 wickets. During that knock, she also went past Meg Lanning and Harmanpreet Kaur to become the second-highest run-getter in the format. She previously returned with scores of 45 and 13 against Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates, respectively, in the T20 tournament.
Fans on X lauded Smriti Mandhana for delivering in the final game. One user wrote:
"A Top Class Knock by Mandhana."
Another user wrote:
"The Queen of World Cricket."
A third user added:
"The 𝐍𝐨.𝟏𝟖𝐬 love stepping up in big finals"
Here are a few more reactions:
"Smriti Mandhana in the Women's Asia Cup 2024: - 45(31). - 13(9). - 55*(39) in the Semi-Final. - 60(47) in the Final. Incredible consistency by Queen of World Cricket, Smriti Mandhana!"
Smriti Mandhana’s half-century helps India set a 166-run target for Sri Lanka
A clinical batting display from Smriti Mandhana coupled with crucial knocks from Richa Ghosh and Jemimah Rodrigues helped India post 165/6 against Sri Lanka in Asia Cup final. Ghosh and Jemimah chipped in with scores of 30 (14), and 29 (16), respectively.
Kavisha Dilhari starred with the ball for the hosts, returning with figures of 2/36, while Udeshika Prabodhani, Sachini Nisansala, and skipper Chamari Athapaththu bagged one wicket apiece.
Both India and Sri Lanka are unbeaten in the Women's Asia Cup. The hosts beat Pakistan by three wickets to qualify for the final. They are chasing their maiden title in the tournament.
On the other hand, the Women in Blue are the reigning champions with seven out of eight titles to their name. Bangladesh are the only other team to have won the intercontinental title.
Follow the IND vs SL Women's Asia Cup final live score and updates here.