Dubai, September 12, 2026: India captain Harmanpreet Kaur has urged her middle order to take responsibility when the team meets Sri Lanka in the Women’s Asia Cup final in Dubai on Sunday, as India look to win back the title Sri Lanka took off them in 2024.
India have leaned heavily on their openers through the tournament, with Smriti Mandhana scoring 154 runs and Shafali Verma 168, and the captain wants support from the middle order in the final.
“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. “That person should take responsibility and finish the game for the team. I think that is the key on this pitch.”
Different players have stepped up for India through the competition, and that is the part of the campaign that has pleased the captain most heading into the final.
“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.”
Sunday’s final is a repeat of the 2024 showpiece, when Sri Lanka stunned India to lift the title, and Harmanpreet is bracing for another close contest.
“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.”
Athapaththu backs in-form middle order for second title
Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu praised the contribution of her middle order through the tournament, singling out Kavisha Dilhari, Harshitha Samarawickrama and senior batter Nilakshi Silva.
“The way they batted in the middle overs is amazing, they absorbed the pressure,” Athapaththu said. “There has been pressure in the middle every time, so it is a really good sign.”
Athapaththu led Sri Lanka to the title in 2024, and reflected on what retaining the trophy would mean for the women’s game back home.
“After winning the last Asia Cup in Sri Lanka, it was really good for women’s cricket in Sri Lanka,” she said. “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.”
