Amravati Celebrates Bharti Fulmali's Gold Medal Win at Asian Games 2026

A Historic Achievement for Amravati

The Indian women's cricket team's remarkable victory at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026 has filled Amravati with pride, especially with local player Bharti Fulmali being part of the squad. Coach Sandip Gawande expressed that this achievement is particularly significant for the region. India triumphed over Sri Lanka by 147 runs in the women's T20 final, securing their second consecutive gold medal at the Asian Games and marking the country's first gold of the current event.

Coach's Pride in Fulmali's Journey

In an interview, coach Sandip Gawande shared his joy over the team's success, emphasizing the pride it brings to the nation. He noted Fulmali's inspiring journey from a young talent to an international cricketer, stating, "The gold medal win is a source of immense joy for all of India, and having Bharti Fulmali from Amravati in the squad makes it even more special for our community."

Bharti Fulmali's Cricketing Journey

Reflecting on Fulmali's cricketing path, Gawande mentioned, "Bharti has been playing cricket since she was 12 years old and has consistently excelled for both Vidarbha and the national team." Currently, she plays for Vidarbha in domestic competitions and is also a member of the Gujarat Giants in the Women's Premier League (WPL).

Gawande praised her as a powerful batter, known for her ability to score quickly. "She is recognized for her hard-hitting style and can accumulate runs rapidly," he added.

India's Dominance in the Final

In a repeat of the gold medal match from Hangzhou 2023, India once again defeated Sri Lanka by 147 runs, successfully defending their title in women's cricket at the Asian Games. This victory also marked India's first gold medal of the 2026 Games. Sri Lanka took home the silver medal for the second time in a row, while Pakistan secured bronze after winning against Bangladesh in the earlier playoff.

Deepti Sharma was a standout player, achieving remarkable bowling figures of 3/6. Other key contributors included Shafali Verma, Shree Charani, and Shreyanka Patil, each taking two wickets, showcasing a dominant bowling performance.

Match Summary

Match Summary: India Women scored 216/3 in 20 overs (Smriti Mandhana 79, Richa Ghosh 49 not out; Chamudi Praboda 1/34) and defeated Sri Lanka, who managed 69/10 in 15.4 overs (Chamari Athapaththu 29; Deepti Sharma 3/6), by 147 runs.