New Delhi, Sept. 22 -- India clinched its first gold medal of Asian Games 2026 after the Harmanpreet Kaur-led women's cricket team defeated Sri Lanka by 147 runs in the final in Nisshin on Tuesday. Chasing a target of 217, Sri Lanka were all out for 69 in 15.4 overs.

India now have seven medals in total, including one gold, four silver and two bronze medals.

The Women in Blue thus retained the gold medal that they had won at the 2022 Asian Games, which was held in Hangzhou in 2023. Having won the toss and opted to bat first, India posted a mammoth total of 216/3 on the board. Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana was the standout batter with a knock of 79.

She and Shafali Verma (48) forged a 99-run partnership for the first wicket. And even tho...