The Women's Asia Cup 2026 final between India and Sri Lanka will be played today at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium from 8 PM. India are unbeaten in the tournament, while Sri Lanka have also not lost a match. Sri Lanka defeated India in the previous final to win the title.
India’s unbeaten run
India defeated Thailand, Hong Kong and Pakistan in the group stage before beating Bangladesh in the semi-final to reach the final.
Sri Lanka are also unbeaten in the tournament. India will therefore face an undefeated opponent in the title clash.
The final also gives India an opportunity to overcome the result of the previous final, when Sri Lanka defeated them to win the title.
India reach the final for the 10th time
This will be the 10th final in the history of the Women's Asia Cup, with India having reached the title clash on every occasion. India have played four ODI finals and six T20 finals.
India won all four of their ODI finals. In the T20 format, India won the title in 2012, 2016 and 2022.
India finished as runners-up after losing the finals in 2018 and 2024. In the 2024 final, Sri Lanka defeated India to win the Women's Asia Cup T20 title for the first time.
India will now play their sixth T20 final with another title at stake.
India’s T20 record against Sri Lanka
India and Sri Lanka have played 31 women's T20 matches. India have won 25, while Sri Lanka have won five. One match ended without a result.
India have also won nine of their last 10 T20 matches against Sri Lanka.
Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana among India’s leading batters
Shafali Verma is the leading run-scorer in the Asia Cup. She has scored 168 runs in four matches at a strike rate of 169.69.
Her opening partner Smriti Mandhana has also scored 168 runs and is among the tournament's leading batters.
Deepti Sharma leads India’s bowling
Off-spinner Deepti Sharma has taken 11 wickets in four matches at an economy rate of 3.52.
Another key Indian spinner, Shree Charani, has taken eight wickets in four matches. Indian spinners have taken a total of 26 wickets in the tournament.
Chamari Athapaththu leads Sri Lanka’s bowling attack
Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu has taken 11 wickets in four matches at an economy rate of 4.06.
Against Indonesia, Athapaththu took seven wickets for five runs. It is the best bowling performance by a bowler in the Women's Asia Cup.
Harshitha Samarawickrama is Sri Lanka's leading run-scorer in the tournament, with 89 runs from four matches.
Sri Lanka's spinners have taken 25 wickets in the tournament.
Slow Dubai pitch to test spinners
Scoring runs has not been easy for batters on the slow pitch at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium during the tournament. Spinners could therefore have an important role in the final.
Of the 14 matches played in the tournament so far, nine have been won by the team batting first. Based on this record, the team winning the toss may opt to bat first.
The weather could also pose a challenge in Dubai. The daytime temperature is expected to be around 37 degrees Celsius, with humidity likely during the match.
Players to watch in the final
For India, Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana and Deepti Sharma are the key players. Shafali and Mandhana will lead India's batting, while Deepti will spearhead the spin attack.
For Sri Lanka, the focus will be on captain Chamari Athapaththu and batter Harshitha Samarawickrama. Athapaththu will contribute with both bat and ball.
Probable playing XIs
India: Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Pratika Rawal, Richa Ghosh (wicketkeeper), Bharati Fulmali, Deepti Sharma, Prema Rawat, Kranti Gaud, Shree Charani, Nandani Sharma.
Sri Lanka: Chamari Athapaththu (captain), Imesha Dulani, Sanjana Kavindi, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Hasini Perera, Kavisha Dilhari, Nilakshika de Silva, Kaushini Nuthyangana (wicketkeeper), Sugandika Kumari, Chamudi Prabodha, Mitali Ayodhya.
India enter the final unbeaten in the tournament, while Sri Lanka are also yet to lose. Sri Lanka defeated India in the previous final, while India will now contest their 10th Women's Asia Cup final and sixth T20 final.
