India are guaranteed a medal in the women’s cricket event at the Asian Games. The only question now is: will it be gold or silver?

Harmanpreet Kaur’s team stormed into the final on Sunday with a comprehensive 114-run victory over Bangladesh in the semi-final at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin.

And standing between India and another gold medal will be Sri Lanka, who beat Pakistan by eight wickets in the other semi-final. The final will be played on September 22.

There were shades of the recent Asia Cup about India’s performance: start as favourites, play like favourites, and leave the opposition with very few answers.

The platform was set by Shafali Verma, who produced one of the most remarkable innings of her international career. The opener smashed an unbeaten 100 from just 49 balls, with three fours and nine sixes, at a strike rate of 204.08. She became the first woman to score a century in Asian Games cricket.

Shafali’s assault helped India post 195/4 in 20 overs, with Smriti Mandhana contributing 37 off 19 and Harmanpreet adding 40 off 33. India scored at 9.75 runs per over.

Bangladesh, chasing 196, simply had no response. India’s bowlers kept striking at regular intervals, eventually bowling Bangladesh out for just 81 in 15.4 overs. Deepti Sharma was particularly impressive, finishing with 3/7 from 2.4 overs, while Nandani Sharma claimed 3/25. Shree Charani chipped in with 2/7.

The result secured India at least a silver medal and kept their Asian Games title defence alive.

Now comes the big one: India versus Sri Lanka. Gold on the line. After a performance this clinical, can Harmanpreet and her team finish the job?