“We have to inspire girls in the future” - Chamari Athapaththu reacts as Sri Lanka wins their maiden Asia Cup title
After defeating India Women to win their first Asia Cup title, Sri Lanka Women's captain Chamari Athapaththu stated that this victory would motivate girls in the future. The match took place on Sunday, July 28, at Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium.
Team India won the toss and decided to bat first. Courtesy of a brilliant 60-run innings from Smriti Mandhana, the Women in Blue posted 165 runs on the board.
Sri Lanka had a terrible start as a mix-up between the openers led to the dismissal of Vishmi Gunaratne in the second over. Chamari Athapaththu then played a captain's knock, scoring 61 runs off 43 balls.
Later, Harshitha Samarawickrama (69* off 51 balls) and Kavisha Dilhari (30* off 16) did the job for the hosts, as Sri Lanka won their maiden Asia Cup title.
In the post-match presentation, Sri Lankan captain Chamari Athapaththu said:
"I'm feeling happy, 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. Special thanks to the Sri Lanka crowd, they supported our girls and I'm really happy."
"This win is really good for our team, we have to inspire girls in the future, so it's special for Sri Lanka. It's my duty to lead from the front, that's my duty for the country and my team. We talk positive things in the dressing room, the coach and support staff talk positive things in the dressing room, thanks to them. (On if she plans to play for long?) Yeah, hopefully till next 50-over World Cup," she continued.
Chamari Athapaththu was also given the Player of the Tournament award.
“It didn’t go according to plan” - Harmanpreet Kaur reacts as India loses the final by eight wickets
Team India had an amazing tournament before facing Sri Lanka in the final. The Women in Blue convincingly won their group-stage matches and then thrashed Bangladesh in the semi-final.
However, on the big day, Indian players failed to deliver; poor fielding and not being able to take wickets in the middle overs cost India the game.
Reacting to the loss, Harmanpreet Kaur said:
"We played good cricket throughout the tournament and no doubt, we made a lot of fumbles today and that cost us. It was a decent total, we were looking for breakthroughs in the powerplay but it didn't go according to plan and Sri Lanka batted really well."
"(On looking forward to the upcoming World Cup) We are looking to improve in some areas, we will definitely work hard and remember this day. They have played such good cricket from so much time and they played good cricket throughout this tournament," Kaur continued.
India will next be seen in action in the Women’s T20 World Cup, starting October 3.