After Asiad gold, Olympic dream attracts India stars

India players celebrate after winning Asian Games gold at Hangzhou yesterday. Pic/PTI

"We have always seen the world's biggest athletes winning medals at the Olympics and felt sad that we could not have that experience being professional cricketers. Then, we won the silver at the 2022 Commonwealth Games [in Birmingham] and now the gold here. It feels great. It will be wonderful if cricket can be included at the Olympics," Smriti Mandhana told mid-day after top-scoring with a 46-ball 45 (4x4, 1x6) as India posted a modest 116 for 7 in 20 overs on a slow turner of a track.

Crucial partnership

Mumbai girl Jemimah Rodrigues, who contributed a crucial 42 off 40 balls (5x4) in the winning cause, ably supported her teammate off the pitch just like she did on it (they put on an invaluable 73 for the second wicket) a few moments ago. "Women's cricket has been changing for the better and the WPL [Women's Premier League] is a prime example of this. We are extremely proud to win this medal for our country and will be even more happy if we get a chance to win an Olympic gold medal for our nation some day," said Rodrigues. India pacer Titas Sadhu was the star with the ball, claiming 3 for 6 as the Sri Lankans could not even get to the 100 mark (they finished on 97-8).

The Indian women's cricket team on the podium after winning gold in Hangzhou yesterday. Pic/AFP

India's batting effort was truly special on a track that offered loads of turn to the Lankan tweakers early on. Mandhana and Rodrigues in particular used their feet beautifully to get to the pitch of the ball before driving successfully both, along the ground and in the air. India coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar was all praise for Rodrigues. "This was an ultimate performance by Jemi. There was not too much of big hitting, but she used her brain well and that was important. It was a very mature knock," the former India all-rounder told mid-day.

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Rodrigues too admitted batting was tough on the slow strip. "The Sri Lanka spinners were spot-on. We had to really apply ourselves and earn every run. Our plan was to stay at the crease and build partnerships. Overall, this [Asiad] has been a wonderful experience. We are part of history as India's first Asian Games gold medal-winning cricket team," she said.

‘Felt like a World Cup'

Mandhana went a step further and drew a comparison with the World Cup. "This experience felt like a World Cup. We generally lift trophies, but to win a medal is a unique and special experience. For me, this is big, just like a Commonwealth Games or a World Cup or an Olympics," she said. The ICC have made no secret of the fact that they would like to see cricket at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and this gold medal by India's women could be the stepping stone to success that culminates in a double gold medal achievement (by the Indian men's and women's teams) in America five years hence.

Brief scores
India 116-7 (S Mandhana 46, J Rodrigues 42; U Prabodhani 2-16, I Ranaweera 2-21, S Kumari 2-30) beat SL 97-8 (H Perera 25; T Sadhu 3-6, R Gayakwad 2-20) by 19 runs.