Aichi-Nagoya [Japan], September 22 (ANI): Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president PT Usha expressed happiness over the ladies’s cricket group’s gold medal triumph on the Asian Games 2026, whereas backing the nation’s shooters to ship gold medals within the ongoing continental showpiece.
India defeated Sri Lanka by 147 runs within the ladies’s T20 cricket ultimate on Tuesday to assert their second successive Asian Games gold medal. The victory additionally gave India its first gold of the continued version, taking its medal tally to seven, comprising one gold, 4 silver and two bronze medals.
Speaking after the triumph, Usha mentioned she had been assured in regards to the Indian ladies’s group’s prospects and recalled her function in getting cricket included within the Asian Games programme.
‘We have simply began. For the final two days, our shooters did good, although we may have received the gold one, however little bit disappointment, however I’m having quite a lot of confidence on shooters. They will carry a gold medal, little doubt. But I’m joyful that our cricketers received the gold medal. I used to be on the Coordination Committee of Japan organising this meet. So I solely requested them so as to add cricket right here, women and men. So I simply need to see their successful gold medal. I’m so joyful to see a gold medal,’ Usha instructed ANI.
Asked whether or not she was happy with India’s efficiency thus far, the previous observe and subject star urged persistence, saying the Games nonetheless had a number of days to go.
‘Yeah, I’m joyful. I’m joyful in regards to the begins, however we must always have persistence. We will get gold medal, don’t fret about that. Don’t be in a rush. The recreation will end solely third [October],’ she added laughingly.
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya additionally congratulated the Indian ladies’s group on their title-winning efficiency.
‘Gold for the Women in Blue at #AsianGames2026! Heartiest congratulations to our champions on clinching the gold medal within the Women’s T20 Cricket ultimate. A proud second for all the nation,’ Mandaviya wrote in a submit on X.
India produced a dominant efficiency within the ultimate, first posting a formidable 216/3 after being requested to bat. Smriti Mandhana top-scored with 79 off 45 balls, whereas Shafali Verma made a brisk 48 off 29 deliveries. Richa Ghosh offered the late impetus with an unbeaten 49 off 22 balls.
Mandhana’s innings included 5 fours and 7 sixes, whereas her half-century was her thirty seventh in T20 internationals. She additionally turned the primary lady cricketer to achieve 11,000 runs in worldwide cricket.
India’s bowlers then dismantled the Sri Lankan batting line-up, dismissing them for 69 in 15.4 overs. Deepti Sharma led the assault with figures of three/6, whereas Shafali Verma and Shreyanka Patil claimed two wickets every. Shree Charani additionally picked up two wickets.
The 147-run victory secured India’s second consecutive Asian Games gold in ladies’s cricket, following their title at Hangzhou in 2023.
India had already received 4 silver and two bronze medals earlier than Tuesday’s cricket ultimate. On Day 2, Himanshu Dhillon, Rudrankksh Patil and Parth Mane mixed to win silver within the males’s 10m air rifle group occasion, with Dhillon and Patil later including particular person medals. MMA fighter Suchika Tariyal additionally secured a bronze. (ANI)