India enters the Asian Games final after crushing Bangladesh.India marched into the gold medal clash at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya after crushing Bangladesh by 114 runs in Sunday’s lopsided semifinal. Defending their continental crown won at Hangzhou in 2023, the reigning champions proved far too strong in every department. They set a formidable target of 196 before dismantling the chase in rapid fashion.Shafali Verma’s blistering maiden century sets the tone.Opting to bat first on a track offering quick value for strokes, India seized control right from the opening exchanges. Explosive opener Shafali Verma led the charge by recording her maiden century in white-ball internationals. Verma attacked the short square boundaries with calculated aggression, punishing loose deliveries to push Bangladesh onto the back foot.Smriti Mandhana provided early fireworks with an aggressive 37 off just 19 balls, including five boundaries and two maximums. Following the exit of Gunalan Kamalini for three, captain Harmanpreet Kaur joined Verma to maintain the momentum. Kaur struck six boundaries in her 33-ball 40, steering India to a commanding total of 195 for 4 in their 20 overs despite tidy fielding from Bangladesh.Bowlers trigger complete Bangladesh batting collapseBangladesh crumbled early under relentless pressure during their pursuit of 196. Fast bowler Nandini Sharma struck on her first delivery of the second over, removing Juairiya Ferdous for a golden duck. Kranti Gaud quickly followed by dismissing Sobhana Mostary for four, leaving Bangladesh reeling at 9 for 2 inside three overs.Leg-spinner Shree Charani soon trapped captain Nigar Sultana for nine, and Shreyanka Patil sent back Shorna Akter for five. Dilara Akter offered brief resistance with 27 runs before off-spinner Deepti Sharma broke through in the tenth over. Nandini Sharma then delivered a double blow in the eleventh over, removing Nahida Akter for four and dismissing Rabeya Khan for a first-ball duck.Charani claimed Sharmin Akhter for ten, while Deepti Sharma cleaned up Marufa Akter and Shanjida Akter Meghla to end the innings at 81 in 15.4 overs. Deepti Sharma took 3 for 7, while Nandini Sharma returned figures of 3 for 25. India now faces Sri Lanka in the title clash.
Asian Games: India Women cricket team enter Asian Games final following ruthless 114-Run victory against Bangladesh
