[Watch] “Champions in every way” – Kumar Sangakkara super thrilled as Sri Lanka Women beat India Women to become 2024 Women’s Asia Cup champions
Former Sri Lanka men’s cricket team captain Kumar Sangakkara was delighted as the Chamari Athapaththu-led side beat India Women in the final to win the 2024 Women’s Asia Cup trophy in Dambulla on Sunday, July 28. Chasing 166 against the seven-time champions India, the hosts won by eight wickets with as many balls to spare. They also stayed unbeaten in the T20 tournament.
Sharing a video on Instagram, Sangakkara congratulated the Sri Lankan team for their intent and self-belief against title favorites India in the final. The legendary wicketkeeper-batter reserved special praise for skipper Chamari (61 runs & one wicket), Kavisha Dilhari (30 & 2/36), and Player of the Match Harshitha Samarawickrama (69 off 51) for delivering in the final against the Women in Blue.
Sangakkara said in an Instagram video:
“What an awesome awesome win, I was following it here in the Sky commentary box on a laptop, and what an amazing win for Sri Lanka. Chamari, Kavisha, Harshitha, the whole team, the effort. What a moment for all of you, and the country. What a moment for all of us to be happy and proud of what you’ve achieved.
"Awesome, awesome performance guys. You absolutely deserve every single accolade, and every bit of praise. The effort over the last two years, the leadership by Chamari, the belief, the intent, and now the winners of the Asia Cup. Fantastic!” he added.
The cricketer-turned-commentator captioned his post:
“Forgot to take my glasses off in my excitement 😂 what a moment for the country. @chamari_athapaththu58, Harshitha, Kavisha and the team you guys are Champions in every way.”
Watch the video below:
“I’m happy about my team’s performance” – Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu credits batting unit after 8-wicket win over India in Asia Cup final
Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu has credited the batting unit for chasing down 166 in the final. She also reserved special praise for the coaching staff.
In the post-match comments, she told Star Sports (via Cricbuzz):
“I'm happy about my team's performance, especially the batting. Special thanks to Harshita and DIlhari for their performance. It's not a one-man show, the coaching staff has been great and finally we have won the Asia Cup.”
With the win, Sri Lanka has become the third team after India and Bangladesh (2018 winners) to be crowned Women’s Asia Cup champions.
Click here for the IND vs SL Women's Asia Cup final full scorecard.