India captain Harmanpreet Kaur called on her side’s struggling middle-order to back their strengths ahead of the Women’s Asia Cup 2026 against Sri Lanka on Sunday.
Shafali Verma (168 runs) and Smriti Mandhana (154 runs) have done a bulk of the team’s scoring, with Harmanpreet the next-highest run-scorer behind them on 57 runs.
“We know we have such a good batting line-up, and I think when you have such a good batting line-up, it is only about whoever is doing well on that day,” Harmanpreet said at the pre-match press conference ahead of the final.
“That person should take responsibility and finish the game for the team. I think that is the key on this pitch.”
The India skipper said that she was happy to see the way different players had stood up when called upon. “It is good to see that whoever gets the opportunity is coming up with solid performances,” she said.
“We have managed to get runs on the board and our bowlers are coming up with some really solid performances. So overall, I’m really happy with the way we have played so far.”
The 37-year-old expects a tough fight on Sunday, which will be a repeat of the 2024 final where Sri Lanka defeated India.
“I think the last time we played against Sri Lanka, they came up with some really solid plans and performances,” Harmanpreet said. “Winning in T20 cricket is all about who plays better cricket on the day.”
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Meanwhile, Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu hailed the performances of her middle-order, singling out the contributions of youngsters Kavisha Dilhari and Harshitha Samarawickrama, as well as senior batter Nilakshi Silva.
“The way they batted in the middle overs is amazing, they absorbed the pressure. There has been pressure in the middle every time, so it is a really good sign,” she said.
Having sprung a surprise to take the title in 2024, she also emphasised the impact retaining it could hold.
“After winning the last Asia Cup in Sri Lanka, it was really good for women’s cricket in Sri Lanka. The people’s mindset, especially the spectators and the board, everyone realised that our girls are playing really good cricket.
So if we win this time, it’s really good for women’s cricket in Sri Lanka as well.”
Published on Sep 12, 2026
