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India reached the Women’s Asia Cup 2026 final after a comprehensive 40-run win over Bangladesh in the first semi-final game on Thursday. The second semi-final is being played between Pakistan and defending champions Sri Lanka at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Friday. The winner of the game will be playing India in the final on Sunday.

Speaking to the media, Deepti Sharma said the team was ready to face both sides and wasn’t ready to take any rival lightly. The 29-year-old said, “We don’t take any team lightly. It doesn’t matter who ever comes in the finals. We think as a team how we can do better in each game.”

She revealed that the side will watch the PAK vs SL game and prepare for the game on Sunday night. Deepti bowled four overs and picked up three wickets for 26 runs. She got the wickets of opening batters Dilara Akter and Jauiriya Ferdous, who gave their side a good start while chasing 150. She also got the wicket of Sharmin Akhter to help her side win the contest.

The veteran star also did well with the bat, scoring 13 runs off just six balls towards the end of the innings. Harmanpreet Kaurspeaking at the end of the game, said: “Deepti was amazing with the ball, and whenever the team needed, she came up and gave us some key wickets.”

Shafali Verma steals the show with the bat

The 22-year-old SHafali Verma batted well, scoring 64 runs from 40 balls, and also bowled a few overs but went wicketless. The right-handed batter hit seven fours and three sixes as she held the batting together after India were asked to bat first. Verma added 50 runs for the second wicket with Pratika Rawal in 44 balls.

Harmanpreet was not out on 24 runs off 28 balls, and the veteran also hit two key sixes. Richa Ghosh was at her best with the bat, scoring 21 off 16 and also kept well during the game.

Indian opener speaking after the game said, “It was humid out there, and even when we were batting, it was difficult to breathe sometimes. I was trying to build my innings, and it was easier to score runs in the first six overs of the game, so I was trying to maximize and get as many runs as possible during the powerplay overs.”