India, Sept. 12 -- Two years on, the wound remains. In 2024, Sri Lanka lifted the Women's T20 Asia Cup trophy in Dambulla, but for India the memory of that night has not faded. On Sunday, the two sides clash again for the title in Dubai, India chasing an eighth continental title across both white-ball formats-three of them T20 crowns-and Sri Lanka determined to defend the title.

Unbeaten India's campaign has gathered momentum while Chamari Athapaththu's side have have been typically resilient. Their semi-final against Pakistan was a case in point -from 5/2 inside two overs and 33/4 in the seventh, Sri Lanka found a way to chase down 131.

For India, the most compelling storyline has been Shafali Verma's form. On wickets where stroke-maki...