Indian opener Smriti Mandhana expressed her delight after the country bagged its first gold medal at the ongoing Asian Games, as the women’s cricket team defeated Sri Lanka by a mammoth 147-run margin 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.

Mandhana scored 116 runs in two innings of the Asian Games at an average of 58 and a strike rate of 181.25.

“The China one (gold medal in Hangzhou, 2022) was pretty special and here again in Japan (it feels special). Really proud to see the tricolour going high. With the national anthem playing I think it is a very proud moment,” Mandhana said in a video relased by BCCI.

“It’s been good that after a disappointing World Cup, it’s good to come back to winning ways. Asia Cup and Asian Games are important tournaments but we will have to keep doing it against better opponents,” she added.

The flamboyant left-hander said it is a surreal feeling to play for the country and admitted that performing well is icing on the cake.

“Never imagined that as a kid I will be playing for India, leave alone scoring runs or winning matches for India. So it’s a special occasion for all of us and the Indian fans as well, who have been right behind me and the team and it’s just the start, I would say,” Mandhana concluded.

India also recently won the Asia Cup after beating Sri Lanka in the final.