'This is very special, gold is gold...really happy that we gave our best today' - Smriti Mandhana expresses elation after winning Gold medal in Asian Games

The Indian team led by Harmanpreet Kaur clinched the gold medal at the Asian Games 2023, marking their maiden triumph at the competition. The victory came after a hard-fought final against Sri Lanka, where India emerged victorious by a margin of 19 runs.

This historic win is particularly significant as the Indian cricket team had not participated in the 2010 and 2014 editions of the Asian Games, making this their first-ever gold medal in women's cricket on this prestigious platform.

The triumph also added to India's gold tally on the same day, following an outstanding performance in the 10m air rifle team event. On a challenging batting pitch, the Indian women's team managed to score 116 runs for the loss of seven wickets, a score considered par for the conditions. 

However, the hero of the match turned out to be 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 spell of 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 vital 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, stating, "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 with ANI.

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 Anthe, playing because it is a tribute to not just us but our country..."