Indian eves clinch fourth Asia Cup
 Asia Cup Champions Team India |
Indian eves clinched their fourth successive Asia Cup title securing a mammoth 117-run victory over Sri Lanka in the final at the Welagedara Stadium in Kurunegala today.
The two teams clashed in the final for the fourth successive time and once again it was the Indians who emerged as the champions.
Player of the match Asha Rawat fell short of a well-deserved hundred by three runs, while skipper Mithali Raj once again starred with a 66-run knock to help India put on 260 for seven in their quota of 50 overs.
The defending victors then bundled up the hosts for 83 in 35.2 overs with Seema Pujare and Neetu David picking up three wickets apiece.
FULL COVERAGE
Electing to bat after winning the toss, the Indians faced an early blow with opener Jaya Sharma departing in the second over without scoring a run.
Rawat then joined KarunaJain (28) to steady the innings before the latter was also sent back by S de Alwis with the scoreboard reading 75. Raj and Rawat then made sure there were no further hiccups until the 38th over as the two steered the Indians towards a big score.
While Rawat struck 12 fours and a six in her 114-ball knock, Mithali hit six fours in her 72-ball stay at the crease.
Amita Sharma also chipped in with a quickfire 31-ball 50 to take India to what eventually turned out a winning score.
The Sri Lankan chase never got off and half of their side was back in the pavillion with just 62 runs on the board and almost 28 overs still to be bowled. Four of the Sri Lankan batswomen were sent back for nought and only two managed to register double-digit scores with P Kumarihami being their top scorer labouring to a 63-ball 23.
Seema Pujare and Neetu David wrecked the hosts' line-up as India cruised to their fourth successive title triumph. Player of the tournament all-rounder Rumeli Dhar and pacer Jhulan Goswami also picked up a wicket each.
Brief scores:
India 260-7, 50 overs (Asha Rawat 97, Mithali Raj 66, Rumeli Dhar 50, Karuna Jain 28; Shashikala Siriwardene 4-53)
Sri Lanka 83 all out, 35.2 overs (Chamari Polgampola 23, Shashikala Siriwardene 20; Pujare Seema 3-10, Neetu David 3-11, Rumeli Dhar 2-11)
