Archive · 12 Sep 2026
India, Sri Lanka Renew Asia Cup Final Rivalry in Dubai
India and Sri Lanka are playing each other in the Women’s Asia Cup final.
This is the third time in a row they have met in the final.
India won their 2022 final, but Sri Lanka won the 2024 final.
India’s strongest batters have been Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana.
Sri Lanka has two effective slow left-arm bowlers, Sugandika Kumari and Chamudi Praboda.
Many of India’s batters use the right hand, which could make those bowlers especially important.
India may try to attack the spinners, but it must choose carefully when to hit and when to defend.
Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu can also trouble India with her bowling.
The final will be played in Dubai on Sunday at 8 PM.
India and Sri Lanka will meet in their third successive Women’s Asia Cup final.
India won the 2022 final, while Sri Lanka claimed their maiden title in 2024.
India’s leading batters are Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana, who have scored 168 and 154 runs respectively.
Sri Lanka’s slow left-arm pair Sugandika Kumari and Chamudi Praboda have taken 11 wickets at a combined economy rate of 4.3.
Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu is also a major threat after taking 11 wickets in the tournament.
- Who
- India and Sri Lanka’s women’s cricket teams.
- What
- They will contest the Women’s Asia Cup final.
- When
- Sunday at 8 PM; the article identifies this as the 2026 edition.
- Where
- Dubai.
- Why
- India are trying to reclaim the title after Sri Lanka defeated them in the 2024 final.
India’s attacking batting
Sri Lanka’s spin control
Approach against spin
India’s attacking batting
India’s batters can disrupt the spinners by attacking, using shots such as the reverse sweep, advancing down the pitch and attempting to clear the field.
Sri Lanka’s spin control
Sri Lanka’s bowlers vary their pace, length and turn, and Chamudi Praboda has dismissed batters who advanced against her.
Key matchup
India’s attacking batting
Smriti Mandhana’s ability to remain at the crease alongside India’s right-handed batters could force Sri Lanka to change its lines and fields.
Sri Lanka’s spin control
Sugandika Kumari and Chamudi Praboda could exploit India’s right-hand-heavy top order and maintain the control they have shown throughout the tournament.
Additional threat
India’s attacking batting
India will need to manage Sri Lanka’s captain Chamari Athapaththu, whose off-spin has produced 11 wickets.
Sri Lanka’s spin control
Sri Lanka can rely on Athapaththu as another bowling option, including after her seven-wicket haul against Indonesia.
- Final matchup
- India vs Sri Lanka
- Recent finals
- The teams have met in the last three successive Asia Cup finals.
- 2022 result
- India defeated Sri Lanka by eight wickets in Sylhet.
- 2024 result
- Sri Lanka defeated India by eight wickets in Dambulla to win their maiden title.
- India’s leading scorers
- Shafali Verma has 168 runs and Smriti Mandhana has 154 runs in the 2026 edition.
- Sri Lanka’s left-arm spinners
- Sugandika Kumari and Chamudi Praboda have taken 11 wickets together in 30 overs at a combined economy rate of 4.3.
- Broadcast
- The final is listed for Sony Sports Network and Sony LIV.