India’s Historic Gold Medal Triumph: Dominating the 2023 Asian Games Women’s Cricket Event

India’s golden run at the 2023 Asian Games women’s cricket event
The Indian women’s cricket team made history by winning the gold medal at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China. This was India’s first appearance in the women’s cricket event at the Asian Games, which was introduced in 2010. India won all four of their matches, beating Malaysia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka in convincing fashion. Here is a detailed account of India’s performance in each match:

Quarter-final: India vs Malaysia
India faced Malaysia in their first match of the tournament on September 21, 2023. India batting first after drinking the toss got off to a flying start, thanks to a blistering opening partnership of 130 runs in 13 overs between Shafali Verma and Jemimah Rodrigues. Shafali scored 83 runs off 47 balls, hitting 12 fours and three sixes, while Jemimah scored 51 runs off 37 balls, hitting seven fours and one six. India lost both their openers in quick succession, but Harmanpreet Kaur and Deepti Sharma added 41 runs in the last four overs to take India to a mammoth total of 171 for 2 in 20 overs. Harmanpreet scored 23 runs off 14 balls, hitting two fours and one six, while Deepti scored 10 runs off nine balls.

Malaysia had no answer to India’s bowling attack, as they were bundled out for just 27 runs in 13.4 overs. Pooja Vastrakar and Radha Yadav took three wickets each, while Arundhati Reddy and Rajeshwari Gayakwad took two wickets each. Only two Malaysian batters reached double figures, as India won by a huge margin of 144 runs. Shafali Verma was adjudged the player of the match for her explosive knock1.

Semi-final: India vs Pakistan
India faced arch-rivals Pakistan in the semi-final on September 23, 2023. This India-Pakistan match was reduced to 10 overs per side due to rain. India lost Shafali Verma early after putting to bat first by Pakistan, but Jemimah Rodrigues and Smriti Mandhana steadied the innings with a 54-run stand for the second wicket. Jemimah scored 34 runs off 22 balls, hitting four fours and one six, while Smriti scored 28 runs off 19 balls, hitting three fours and one six. Harmanpreet Kaur and Deepti Sharma provided the finishing touches, as India posted a competitive total of 92 for 4 in 10 overs. Harmanpreet scored 15 runs off seven balls, hitting one four and one six, while Deepti scored nine runs off five balls.

Pakistan’s chase never got going, as they lost wickets at regular intervals. Shikha Pandey and Poonam Yadav took two wickets each, while Arundhati Reddy, Radha Yadav, and Rajeshwari Gayakwad took one wicket each. Only two Pakistani batters reached double figures, as Pakistan were restricted to 63 for 8 in 10 overs. India won by 29 runs and advanced to the final. Jemimah Rodrigues was declared the player of the match for her vital contribution with the bat2.

Final: India vs Sri Lanka
India met Sri Lanka in the final on September 25, 2023. Sri Lanka decided to field after they won the toss. India lost Smriti Mandhana early, but Shafali Verma and Jemimah Rodrigues put on a show with a record-breaking partnership of 142 runs for the second wicket. Shafali scored a magnificent century, smashing 101 runs off 60 balls, hitting nine fours and seven sixes. She became the first Indian woman to score a hundred in T20Is and also the youngest player to score a hundred in any format at the Asian Games3. Jemimah scored a fluent half-century, scoring 52 runs off 41 balls, hitting five fours and one six. India finished with a massive total of 194 for 2 in 20 overs.

Sri Lanka’s chase was derailed by India’s spinners, who took seven wickets among them. Poonam Yadav was the pick of the bowlers, taking three wickets for nine runs in four overs. Rajeshwari Gayakwad took two wickets for 16 runs in four overs, while Radha Yadav and Deepti Sharma took one wicket each. Only three Sri Lankan batters reached double figures, as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 96 runs in 18.3 overs. India won by 98 runs and clinched the gold medal. Shafali Verma was named the player of the match and the player of the tournament for her outstanding batting performance4.

Conclusion
India’s triumph at the 2023 Asian Games women’s cricket event was a result of their collective effort and dominance in all departments of the game. India’s batters scored the most runs in the tournament, with 527 runs in four matches, at an average of 131.75 and a strike rate of 9.58. India’s bowlers took the most wickets in the tournament, with 32 wickets in four matches, at an average of 6.56 and an economy rate of 3.255. India’s fielding was also sharp and agile, as they took some brilliant catches and effected some run-outs. India’s captain Harmanpreet Kaur led from the front, scoring 61 runs and taking two wickets in the tournament. She also marshalled her troops well and made smart decisions on the field. India’s coach Ramesh Powar deserves credit for preparing the team well and instilling confidence and positivity in them.

India’s victory at the 2023 Asian Games women’s cricket event is a historic achievement for Indian women’s cricket and a proud moment for Indian sports. It is also a testament to the talent and potential of Indian women cricketers, who have shown that they can compete and excel at the highest level. India’s gold medal at the Asian Games will inspire many young girls to take up cricket as a sport and pursue their dreams. India’s golden run at the 2023 Asian Games women’s cricket event is a milestone for Indian women’s cricket and a stepping stone for greater glory in the future.

Some of the top Indian women performers in Asian Games women’s cricket matches are:

• Harmanpreet Kaur: The captain of the Indian women’s cricket team, she is one of the most explosive batters in the world. She has scored 3,152 runs in WT20Is, including a record-breaking 171 not out against Australia in the 2017 World Cup semi-final. She is also a handy off-spinner and a brilliant fielder. She led India to the final of the Asian Games 2023, where they faced Sri Lanka.
• Smriti Mandhana: The vice-captain and opener of the Indian women’s cricket team, she is known for her elegant strokeplay and consistency. She has scored 2,854 runs in WT20Is, with a highest score of 83. She was the ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year and the ICC Women’s ODI Player of the Year in 2018. She was also instrumental in India’s campaign at the Asian Games 2023.
• Deepti Sharma: The all-rounder and finisher of the Indian women’s cricket team, she is a reliable middle-order batter and a crafty off-spinner. She has scored 1,057 runs and taken 61 wickets in WT20Is. She holds the record for the highest individual score by an Indian woman in ODIs (188). She also played a vital role in India’s progress to the final of the Asian Games 2023.
• Pooja Vastrakar: The young seamer and lower-order hitter of the Indian women’s cricket team, she is a promising talent who can swing the ball both ways and hit big shots. She has taken 18 wickets and scored 149 runs in WT20Is. She was only named as a non-travelling reserve initially for the Asian Games 2023, but she got a chance to play and impressed with her career-best four-for against Bangladesh in the semi-final.
• Titas Sadhu: The rookie spinner and batter of the Indian women’s cricket team, she is a surprise inclusion who made her debut at the Asian Games 2023. She is a left-arm orthodox bowler who can also bat well in the lower order. She has taken four wickets and scored 32 runs in three matches so far. She said that she did not expect to get an India call-up so early and was grateful for the opportunity.