'Really proud to see the tricolour going high' - Smriti Mandhana reflects on Asian Games gold medal

India's women's cricket team won the Asian Games gold medal after defeating Sri Lanka in the final at Karogi Athletic Park in Nisshin, Aichi, on Tuesday, winning by 147 runs. The victory marked India's second consecutive Asian Games gold medal, following their maiden triumph in Hangzhou in 2022. India put up 216 for 3, the highest total in women's T20 international cricket at the Asian Games, before securing the comprehensive victory.

Smriti Mandhana played a decisive role in India's dominant performance. The opener scored 79 off 45 balls, striking five fours and seven sixes during the final. Her explosive innings formed the foundation of India's record-breaking total and set the tone for the comprehensive victory. The Asian Games campaign saw Mandhana deliver consistent performances throughout the tournament. In the semi-final against Bangladesh, she scored 37 off 19 balls, maintaining her aggressive approach that proved crucial to India's progression to the final.

"The China one (gold medal in Hangzhou, 2022) was pretty special and here again in Japan (it feels special). Really proud to see the tricolour going high. With the national anthem playing I think it is a very proud moment," Mandhana said in a video relased by BCCI.

“It’s been good that after a disappointing World Cup, it’s good to come back to winning ways. Asia Cup and Asian Games are important tournaments but we will have to keep doing it against better opponents," she added.

Mandhana's match-winning performance in the final

Beyond the match-winning performance, Mandhana achieved a historic personal milestone during the final. She became the first player in the world to reach 11,000 runs in women's international cricket, reaching this landmark during India's gold-medal-winning performance against Sri Lanka. The achievement underscored her consistency and longevity in international cricket across all formats.

"Never imagined that as a kid I will be playing for India, leave alone scoring runs or winning matches for India. So it’s a special occasion for all of us and the Indian fans as well, who have been right behind me and the team and it’s just the start, I would say," Mandhana concluded.