2024 Women's Asia Cup Final: India vs Sri Lanka, 3 PM (IST)
India is to Asia Cups what Australia is to World Cups. Even if they never have taken it for granted, their berth in the title clash is almost always a given.
The competition is barely over to see which opponent can put up a fight to challenge the norm. Duly, India have made the ninth straight final and will go into Sunday's summit clash as overwhelming favourites once again.
However, a spirited Sri Lanka stood in their way of claiming the subcontinental bragging rights for the eighth time in nine attempts.
India have barely been hassled on their path to the final, as they mercilessly swatted aside all competition. Whether it were the two entrants from the qualifying competition, who barely stood a chance in the 200+ and 180-run chases, or the more experienced opponents in Pakistan and Bangladesh, who were both crunched comprehensively in sub-par run-chases,. That the statement 10-wicket win in the semifinal against Bangladesh—the only team Harmanpreet & Co. have lost a final to in Asia Cup T20 history—wasn't even with their strongest XI on the park just underscores India's form at the moment.
With D Hemalatha backed at no. 3 consistently - and even afforded an opportunity to open in lieu of Smriti Mandhana against Nepal - India's batting department has looked settled and is among runs.
The bowling, led by highest wicket-taker of he competition Deepti Sharma, has functioned like a well-oiled machine.
Among the biggest gains for India in this tournament has been the crucial game-time Shafali Verma and Renuka Thakur needed to find their mojo back, and both have notched up a Player of the Match each to mark their return to form.
The late entry of left-arm spinner Tanuja Kanwer, and her miserly spells in the three games thus far, are a testament to India's preparedness for the World Cup that is now just two months away.
The frontline squad is in form, and the immediate bench has given management the always pleasant problem of plenty.
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