In a high-stakes Women’s Asia Cup Rising Stars 2026 Semi-Final in Bangkok, the contest between Sri Lanka A Women and India A Women unfolded as a gripping battle of skill, temperament, and tactical discipline. With a place in the final on the line, both sides showcased resilience, but it was India A Women who held their nerve to seal a five-wicket win with 39 balls to spare in this thrilling T20 encounter.
Sri Lanka A Women began cautiously after being put into bat, with Sanjana Kavindi and Hansima Karunaratne looking to settle early. The first breakthrough came at 36 in 4.1 overs when Hansima Karunaratne, who had struck 14 off just 9 balls with three crisp boundaries, was stumped off Madivala Mamatha following sharp glovework. That early wicket did little to slow the innings, but regular strikes prevented momentum from building. Anushka Sanjeewani (5 off 7) fell at 43 in 5.3 overs, bowled by Minnu Mani, before Sri Lanka’s top-scorer Sanjana Kavindi anchored the innings with a steady 31 off 35 balls, including five boundaries.
The middle phase saw Sathya Sandeepani (15 off 15) and Shashini Gimhani (22 off 17, 1 four and 1 six) attempt to rebuild. Their partnerships kept Sri Lanka afloat, but India A’s bowling attack maintained pressure through disciplined spells. The third wicket fell at 71 in 10.2 overs when Kavindi was caught by Thakor off Prema Rawat. Gimhani’s promising knock ended at 100 in 15.1 overs, again courtesy of tight bowling. From there, wickets tumbled in clusters, 6-109 (Shayani Senaratne 3 off 5), 7-110 (Ama Kanchana 7 off 12), 8-111 (Malsha Shehani 1 off 3), and 9-118 (Lihini Apsara 1 off 8). Yasanti Nimanthika was the last to depart for a duck as Sri Lanka A Women were restricted to 118 in 19.4 overs.
India A Women’s bowling performance was clinical. Radha Yadav delivered a Player of the Match display with 4 wickets for 19 runs in 3.4 overs, dismantling the lower order. Tanuja Kanwar was equally impressive with 2 for 20 in 4 overs, while Prema Rawat’s economical 2 for 9 in 4 overs choked the run flow. Minnu Mani and Saima Thakor chipped in with a wicket each, ensuring Sri Lanka never broke free despite 13 extras.
Chasing 119 in this Women’s T20 semi-final, India A Women started positively but lost Nandini Kashyap for 13 (16 balls) at 30 in 4.2 overs, bowled by Yasanti Nimanthika. The turning point came through a dynamic 48-run stand between Dinesh Vrinda and Anushka Sharma. Vrinda was electric, smashing 42 off just 20 balls with eight boundaries at a strike rate of 210.00 before a run-out at 78 in 8.2 overs. Anushka Sharma followed soon after for a fluent 27 off 18 balls (five fours), as India slipped to 84 in 9.2 overs.
Sri Lanka sensed an opening when Tejal Hasabnis (3 off 6) fell at 99 in 11.2 overs, and Minnu Mani was run out for 2 at 113 in 12.5 overs. However, skipper Radha Yadav anchored the chase with a composed unbeaten 31 off 18 balls, striking seven boundaries at a strike rate of 172.22. With Mamatha unbeaten at the other end, India A Women reached 119/5 in just 13.3 overs, finishing the chase comfortably.
Sri Lanka’s bowlers fought hard, with Shashini Gimhani claiming 2 for 33 in 3 overs and Yasanti Nimanthika picking up 1 for 17. Sathya Sandeepani, Ama Kanchana, Malsha Shehani, and Sachini Nisansala also bowled disciplined spells, but the target proved insufficient.
This Women’s Asia Cup Rising Stars 2026 Semi-Final highlighted India A Women’s depth in both batting and bowling. With Radha Yadav’s all-round brilliance (31* and 4/19), explosive batting from Dinesh Vrinda, and collective bowling effort, India A Women marched into the final with authority, underlining their dominance in this exciting Women’s T20 tournament.
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