Nisshin, September 22, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
India all-rounder Deepti Sharma said the women’s cricket team’s second consecutive Asian Games gold medal will provide a major confidence boost as the players look ahead to the 2028 Olympics.
India successfully defended its Asian Games title with a commanding 147-run victory over Sri Lanka at Korogi Sports Park on Tuesday. The triumph came after the team had also defeated Sri Lanka in the final of the 2023 Asian Games and in the title clash of the Asia Cup 2026.
Reflecting on the victory, Deepti said winning another gold medal had brought immense happiness to the team.
“Absolutely, we are very happy. And winning the gold medal has made us twice as happy because we have always played for trophies. Last time we won the gold medal in the Asian Games, and this year as well. The biggest thing is that this is the first gold medal for the country in the 2026 edition. What can be better than this? So we are enjoying this,” Deepti told reporters after the final.
India defeated Sri Lanka twice within a short span, with Tuesday’s Asian Games triumph coming less than 10 days after their Asia Cup victory.
Deepti acknowledged Sri Lanka’s strength but said India’s all-round team performance had enabled them to dominate the recent encounters.
“Sri Lanka is a very good team. We know that they have a very good batting line-up and bowling. But we know that as a team, when the Indian team does well, we always dominate and play all the matches we have played,” she said.
“Whether it is the Asia Cup or Asian Games, the difference is only between the trophy and the medal. It feels very good to win the medal,” she added.
The all-rounder also highlighted the importance of the Asian Games success ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, where cricket is set to return to the Games after 128 years and women’s cricket will feature for the first time.
“And this (gold medal) will motivate us a lot for the future because the Olympics are coming up and cricket has also become a part of it. So, I think this will motivate us to play better cricket,” Deepti said.
Asked whom she would dedicate the medal to, Deepti replied, “I will dedicate it to my mother.”
India produced a dominant performance with both bat and ball in the final. Smriti Mandhana’s 79 helped India post 216/3, while Deepti, Shafali Verma, Shreyanka Patil and Sree Charani shared nine wickets as Sri Lanka were beaten by 147 runs.
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