India women’s head coach
The absence of the Indian players during the ceremony marked a significant moment, as the team chose to celebrate their title win privately with BCCI officials rather than participate in the formal handover. Muzumdar emphasized that the decision was a collective one, reflecting the team's full support for the board's official position regarding the event.
A dominant display on the field
The controversy surrounding the presentation did not detract from India's commanding performance, which secured their eighth Asia Cup title. Batting first, India set a formidable target of 183/5, driven by a blistering opening partnership between Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma. Mandhana contributed 59 runs from 39 deliveries, while Verma smashed 68 off 39 balls, including nine boundaries and two sixes, to put on 129 for the first wicket.
In response, the Indian bowling attack dismantled the Sri Lankan lineup, restricting them to 111 all out in 20 overs. Sree Charani led the charge with an impressive 4/20, supported by Deepti Sharma, who claimed 3/19. Muzumdar lauded the squad's consistency throughout the tournament, noting that the players had performed at a high level from the opening match through to the final.
United behind the BCCI
Addressing the media after the match, Muzumdar remained firm on the team's stance regarding the trophy ceremony. He stated that the tournament was considered officially over for the squad the moment they secured the title. When questioned about whether the team would eventually receive the trophy, the head coach indicated he had no further information, reiterating that the players and support staff were united in their support of the BCCI's directive.
Before the official ceremony commenced, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia and vice-president Rajeev Shukla met with the players to congratulate them on their success. During these private celebrations, the officials presented pacer Nandani Sharma with the ‘Fielder of the Match’ medal. With the Asia Cup campaign concluded, Muzumdar confirmed that the team is now shifting its focus toward preparations for the upcoming Asian Games.
