Indian eves lift fourth straight Asia Cup

Colombo: India clinched their fourth successive women's Asia Cup title by thrashing Sri Lanka by a massive 117 runs in the final at the Welagedara Stadium in Kurunegala on Sunday.

The two teams clashed in the final for the fourth successive time and once again it was the Indians who came out trumps.

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 champions then bundled out the hosts for 83 in 35.2 overs with Pujare Seema and Neetu David picking up three wickets apiece.

Electing to bat after winning the toss, the Indians were dealt an early blow with opener Jaya Sharma departing in the second over without scoring a run.

Rawat then joined Karuna Jain (28) to steady the innings before the latter was also sent back by S de Alwis with the scoreboard reading 75. Mithali 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.

Player of the Tournament Rumeli Dhar 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 batters 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 and 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.

Scores:

India: 260-7 (Asha Rawat 97, Mithali Raj 66, Rumeli Dhar 50, S Siriwardene 4-53)

Sri Lanka: 83 all out (P Seema 3-10, Neetu David 3-11)

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