(Image Source: ANI)
[Saba Sports News] The Indian team, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, secured gold at the Asian Games 2023 after a hard-fought final against Sri Lanka, winning by 19 runs. This historic victory is significant as India’s women’s cricket team had skipped the 2010 and 2014 editions of the Asian Games, making this their inaugural gold on this prestigious stage.
In addition to this triumph, India added to their gold tally on the same day with an outstanding performance in the 10m air rifle team event. The Indian women’s team scored 116 runs for the loss of seven wickets on a challenging batting pitch, a commendable score given the conditions.
The standout performer of the match was Titas Sadhu, who was just four days shy of her 19th birthday. Titas delivered a brilliant performance with the ball, securing figures of 3 wickets for just 6 runs in her 4 overs. Her exceptional bowling played a pivotal role in restricting Sri Lanka to a total of 97 runs for the loss of eight wickets in their allotted 20 overs.
Titas Sadhu received crucial support from leg-spinner Devika Vaidya, who maintained a tight grip on the Sri Lankan batting lineup, conceding just 15 runs in her 4 overs. Despite a shaky start by left-arm spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad and off-spinner Deepti Sharma, the Indian women’s team managed to regain control during the latter stages of the match.
Indian batter Smriti Mandhana expressed her elation after the game, saying, “This is very special. We have seen this on TV. When Neeraj Chopra won the Gold, I had a match…The manner in which the National Anthem was played and India’s National Flag went up, I think it was pretty special and I had tears in my eyes…Really happy that we could contribute to the medal tally of the Indian contingent…Gold is Gold…Really happy that we gave our best today,” in a post-match interview.
Titas Sadhu also shared her sentiments, saying, “This is a really special feeling because we don’t get the chance every day to win a Gold medal, especially at a stage like the Asian Games…I can convey my feelings only like – Goosebumps. It is thrilling to be standing there with the National Anthem playing because it is a tribute to not just us but our country…”