India bagged their first gold medal at the ongoing Asian Games after the women’s cricket team defeated Sri Lanka by a mammoth margin of 147 runs in the final at the Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin, on Tuesday. The Women in Blue posted an above-par score of 216-3 on the board after Kaur decided to bat first.
Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana gave a perfect start to the team, adding 99 runs for the opening alliance off just 60 balls. While Verma scored 48 runs off just 29 balls, Mandhana continued her rich form, scoring 75 runs off 45 balls. Richa Ghosh added the finishing touches with a 22-ball 49.
“It feels good to get a gold medal. For any athlete, it’s a dream. Our team has opened the gate of gold medals,” Kaur was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.
“The more gold medals India wins, the better for us. We are going back (to India) tomorrow. But, we will definitely follow (other events),” she added.
Kaur admitted it is a big thing for her to win the gold medal for the country.
“It’s a big thing for me, and for the team (to win gold). Since we came here, we had only one aim – to take the gold medal from here. We want to see our flag fly high and the national anthem sung. But, we didn’t know, we will be the first one to get the gold. I am sure the other athletes will win a lot of gold medals,” Kaur said.
The Indian skipper said they always wanted to represent the country at the continental games and the Olympics.
“As a cricketer, we always wanted to be part of the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and Olympics because we have always participated in bilateral series, World Cup and Asia Cup. But we didn’t know how it feels when you play for a medal. We didn’t have much experience with those things,” Kaur said.
“But thankfully, we got a chance to play in the last two editions. Before us, so many cricketers came, but they didn’t get that chance. I am sure in future, facilities-wise, stadium-wise and crowd-wise, these things will improve,” she added.
India also recently won the Asia Cup after beating Sri Lanka in the final.
