IND vs SL, Women's Asia Cup final: A rematch for continental supremacy

IND vs SL, Women's Asia Cup Final: Two years after Sri Lanka stunned India in the 2024 final, the familiar rivals meet again for the Women's Asia Cup title. India are unbeaten and chasing an eighth crown, while Sri Lanka will look to repeat their famous triumph.

In Short

• India and Sri Lanka fight for the Asia Cup title on Sunday, Sept 13
• India are hunting for their 8th Asia Cup title
• Will trophy controversy strike this final as well?

Two years after Sri Lanka stunned India to win their maiden Women's Asia Cup title, the two sides meet again in the final with the continental crown on the line in Dubai on Sunday.

The rematch gives India a chance to reclaim the trophy they lost in Dambulla in 2024, when Chamari Athapaththu and Harshitha Samarawickrama struck half-centuries to power Sri Lanka to an emphatic eight-wicket victory.

Watch DP World Women's Asia Cup 2026 Final - India vs Sri Lanka on September 13, 2026, from 8 PM IST live on Sony Sports Ten 1 SD & HD, Sony Sports Ten 3 SD & HD (Hindi), Sony Sports Ten 4 SD (Tamil, Telugu, Kannada) & Sony LIV.

Harmanpreet Kaur's side have been the standout team of the tournament, going unbeaten on their way to the final and chasing an eighth Asia Cup title. Sri Lanka have also remained undefeated and will draw confidence from knowing they have already beaten India on this stage.

The 2024 final remains the obvious reference point, but India arrive this time with Shafali Verma and Deepti Sharma in outstanding form, while Sri Lanka have once again shown the resilience that carried them to the title two years ago.

Harmanpreet, however, does not want her team to over-complicate the occasion. With a title at stake, the India captain believes the key is to trust what has worked throughout the tournament.

"Rather than trying too many things and thinking of doing something extraordinary, it is all about sticking to your strength, backing yourself and trusting your gut feeling," Harmanpreet said on the eve of the final.

INDIA'S BIGGEST WEAPONS?

India have been led by Shafali Verma and Deepti Sharma during their unbeaten campaign.

With 168 runs, including two fifties, Shafali is the tournament's leading run-scorer. She has also been India's most consistent batter on the slow, spin-friendly Dubai surfaces, finding a fluency that others have struggled to match.

Smriti Mandhana has produced a century against Hong Kong but has also registered two single-digit scores, leaving Shafali's consistency particularly valuable at the top.

Deepti, meanwhile, shares the tournament's leading wicket-taker spot with Sri Lanka captain Athapaththu, with both having taken 11 wickets. She has also contributed with the bat, hitting 13 off six balls against Bangladesh in the semifinal to help India push their total close to 150.

With Shree Charani providing control and Prema Rawat finding her rhythm, India's spin attack has been one of their biggest strengths.

But their fielding remains a concern. India dropped four catches in the semifinal against Bangladesh, including two by Pratika Rawal. They had also put down three against Pakistan and two against Thailand, taking their tally to nine dropped catches in four matches.

Harmanpreet knows India will need to be sharper if they are to overcome a Sri Lankan side that has already shown it can punish mistakes.

"We have seen whenever we are trying to do something special or something extraordinary, we have always made so many mistakes," she said.

"Tomorrow's match is all about trusting yourself and trying to make fewer mistakes on the field. The team which makes fewer mistakes in an important game has more chances to win."

SRI LANKA'S CHANCE

Sri Lanka have shown throughout the tournament that they are capable of surviving difficult situations.

In their semifinal against Pakistan, they slipped from 5/2 to 33/4 while chasing 131, but Harshitha Samarawickrama's 36 and Kavisha Dilhari's 33 steadied the innings before Nilakshika Silva and Kaushini Nuthyangana completed the chase.

Athapaththu has also been a key contributor, leading the tournament's wicket charts alongside Deepti with 11 wickets.

Sri Lanka will have an added psychological edge from the 2024 final. Chasing 165 in Dambulla, Athapaththu and Harshitha both hit half-centuries as Sri Lanka won by eight wickets to secure their maiden Asia Cup title.

Most of the players from that final are back for another showdown, giving Sunday's contest an added layer. India will be determined to prevent a repeat, while Sri Lanka will believe their previous success proves they can handle the pressure of a final against the favourites.

Athapaththu will again be central to Sri Lanka's hopes, but Harmanpreet made it clear India will not allow their plans to revolve around one player.

"We definitely want to take her wicket as soon as possible because we know how dangerous she is when she is batting. We want to come up with some solid plans against her, not only against her, but all the batters," she said.

DUBAI PITCH REPORT

The Dubai International Cricket Stadium has offered slow and spin-friendly conditions during the tournament, making batting challenging for most teams.

India's batters have been the most consistent at posting substantial totals, but even they have not always found it easy to score freely.

Harmanpreet believes patience will be important for the batters, particularly early in their innings.

"You have to really spend some time and then you can go for your shot. Whoever is settled, that person needs to take the responsibility and play till the end," she said.

The battle between the two spin attacks could therefore prove decisive, with India relying on Deepti, Shree Charani and Prema Rawat to control the middle overs.

INDIA VS SRI LANKA: HEAD-TO-HEAD

India have dominated the overall T20I rivalry, winning 25 of the 31 matches played between the two sides. Sri Lanka have managed five victories, with their most recent coming in the final of this competition in 2024.

India won the 2022 Asia Cup final, but Sri Lanka responded two years later with their eight-wicket triumph in Dambulla.

Sunday's final will be the third successive Asia Cup final between the two teams. The overall numbers favour India, but Sri Lanka have shown they can produce their best when the stakes are highest.

When is the India vs Sri Lanka Women's Asia Cup final?

The final will be played on Sunday, September 13, 2026.

What time will the India vs Sri Lanka Women's Asia Cup final start?

The match will begin at 8:00 PM IST.

Where will the India vs Sri Lanka Women's Asia Cup final be played?

The final will be played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai.

Where can I watch the India vs Sri Lanka Women's Asia Cup final live on TV?

The match will be broadcast live on the Sony Sports Network in India.

Where can I stream the India vs Sri Lanka Women's Asia Cup final live online?

Fans can watch the match live on SonyLIV.

IND-W vs SL-W: PREDICTED XIs

India: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Pratika Rawal, Harmanpreet Kaur (capt), Richa Ghosh (wk), Bharti Fulmali, Deepti Sharma, Prema Rawat, Kranti Gaud, N Shree Charani, Nandani Sharma

Sri Lanka: Chamari Athapaththu (C), Imesha Dulani, Sanjana Kavindi, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Hasini Perera, Kavisha Dilhari, Nilakshika Silva, Kaushini Nuthyangana (WK), Sugandika Kumari, Chamudi Praboda, Mithali Ayodhya

- Ends