Shafali, who top-scored in the tournament, also spoke on how she has changed her approach towards tournament finals over the years.
Indian opening pair of Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma, who played a massive role in India’s Asia Cup final win over Sri Lanka on Sunday, reflected on India’s recent performances in T20 tournaments, with the former terming the title win as a “good confidence booster”.
But I think after two years, it felt good to be playing the same opposition in the finals. Especially after three years of playing in T20 cricket, I do not think our team has done so well in tournaments. So I feel in that way, it is a good confidence booster.
Smriti and Shafali put on a record-breaking 129 run stand for the opening wicket, the highest in women’s Asia Cup history for any wicket and the best partnership in any T20I tournament final in women’s cricket, as they took India to a winning total of 183/5. Sri Lanka were boweld out at 111. Speaking in a video posted by BCCI after the match, Smriti reflected on India’s performances in T20 tournaments since 2024, noting that it has not been that good. the T20I format stays the one they are yet to crack fully, having finished in group stages of both ICC T20 World Cup 2024 and 2026 and ending as runners-up in previous T20I Women’s Asia Cup to Sri Lanka, failing to defend 166 runs against SL at Dambulla While Team India made strides in the ODI cricket with a historic ICC Women’s World Cup win at home last year. “2024 (women’s Asia Cup final) was very disappointing. We made 160, we could not defend it. Shafali emerged as the leading run-getter in the tournament this year, with 236 runs in five matches and innings at an average of 47.20, with a strike rate of 171.01, with three fifties and a best score of 68. Reaching the milestone in 24 balls, she also smashed the fastest women’s Asia Cup fifty.
But we have to continue,” said Smriti.
