Bangkok, February 20 – Captain Radha Yadav delivered a stunning all-round performance, leading India A to a five-wicket victory over Sri Lanka A in the first semi-final of the ACC Women's Asia Cup Rising Stars 2026, held at the Terdthai Cricket Ground on Friday, securing their place in the final in style.
After India was put to bowl first, Radha's four wickets helped India A dismiss Sri Lanka A for just 118 runs in 19.4 overs. In response, India chased down the target in just 13.3 overs, losing only five wickets, thanks to Dinesh Vrinda's 42 off 20 and Radha's unbeaten 31.
Coming in to bat after winning the toss, Sri Lankan openers Hansima Karunaratne and Sanjana Kavindi got off to a brisk start, scoring 36 runs in just four overs, but the team lost two wickets in the next two overs.
Sanjana forged a small partnership of 28 runs with Sathya Sandeepani to stabilize the innings, but the pair could not last long, as Karunaratne was caught for 31 in the 11th over. Sandeepani was then dismissed in the 13th over.
After losing both their key batters, Sri Lanka suffered a batting collapse, with India taking two more wickets, led by Radha, supported by Prema Rawat and Tanuja Kanwer, who each took two wickets. Radha finished with impressive figures of 4-19.
Chasing a modest total, India started slowly and scored 26 runs in four overs. They lost their first wicket in the fifth over, with Nandini Kashyap getting bowled after scoring 13 runs off 16 balls.
Young batter Anushka Sharma, who came in to bat at number three, took the pressure off after the early wicket as she smashed five fours in the next two overs.
Opener Vrinda, who looked in good form, was run out due to a mix-up in the ninth over after scoring 42 runs off just 20 balls. In the following over, Shashini Gimhani dismissed Anushka for 27.
Despite losing wickets, India were in a strong position at the end of the 10th over, needing just 31 runs to win the match. The women in blue quickly reached the target, finishing the job in just 13.3 overs, with captain Radha hitting the winning four. She remained unbeaten on 31.
India will now play the final at the same ground on Sunday against the winner of the Pakistan vs Bangladesh semi-final.
