Sri Lankan team and Harmanpreet Kaur [Source: AFP]The date is set for the grand final between India Women and Sri Lanka Women for the Women’s Asia Cup 2026. As the title clash will be played on Septemenr 13 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium from 8 PM IST, both the teams are ready to give a tough fight to each other.Notably, India secured their place for the Final after dfeeating Bangladehs in teh 1st Semi-Final by a 40-run margin while Sri lanka defeated Fatima Sana & Co. by 4 wickets to secure a nerve wrecking victory.While India will be the favourites to lift the trophy in Dubai, Sri Lanka’s grit, especially after defeating Pakistan will be a crucial obstacle in Harmanpreet Kaur & Co.’s course.Hence, ahead of the Women’s Asia Cup 2026 Final, let’s take a look at which of Sri lanka Women players posses teh greatest ability to threat the India side.1) Chamari AthapaththuIf India are looking for one player who can alter the final almost single-handedly, Athapaththu will be the obvious name. The veteran all-rounder has spent years carrying Sri Lanka's batting and leading the side, while her left-arm spin has become an increasingly important weapon in the middle overs.Her record against India underlines why she cannot be allowed to settle. Across 30 T20 matches against India, Athapaththu has scored 677 runs at an average of 23.34 and a strike rate of 102.57. She has also registered three half-centuries, with her best score being an unbeaten 80.The more worrying aspect for India is that she can hurt them even when her batting does not click. Athapaththu has taken 13 wickets in 20 innings against India, including a best of 2/21.She has also been one of Sri Lanka's most influential players in the ongoing Asia Cup. Chamari Athapaththu has taken 11 wickets in four matches, the joint-highest tally in the tournament, including a sensational 7/5 earlier in the competition. She also contributed 63 runs with the bat.Even in the semi-final against Pakistan, Athapaththu struck twice with the new ball, removing Shawaal Zulfiqar and Ayesha Zafar in successive overs. Her combination of leadership, experience and two-way impact makes her the player India will have to plan for most carefully.Also Read- Women’s Asia Cup Winners List With Captains From 2004 To 20262) Harshitha SamarawickramaHarshitha Samarawickrama may not have dominated the tournament's run-scoring charts, but her value to Sri Lanka has been evident when the team has needed someone to absorb pressure and rebuild.She has scored 89 runs in three innings at an average of 44.50 in the 2026 Asia Cup. Her unbeaten 48 is currently her best score, while her strike rate of 114.10 shows that she has not merely been occupying the crease.Her biggest statement, however, came in the semi-final. Sri Lanka were in serious trouble at 33/4 while chasing 131 against Pakistan. With the match beginning to tilt towards Pakistan, Samarawickrama paired with Dilhari and helped construct a match-changing 67-run partnership from 59 balls.Samarawickrama contributed 36 off 31 balls, repeatedly finding ways to keep the chase alive despite Pakistan's disciplined bowling. That ability to respond when Sri Lanka are under pressure could be crucial against India. 3) Kavisha DilhariDilhari's importance to Sri Lanka extends beyond the runs beside her name. She is one of the players capable of influencing different phases of a T20 match, and her contribution against Pakistan demonstrated precisely why India cannot afford to overlook her.The all-rounder has scored 42 runs in three innings during the Asia Cup, but her semi-final contribution was worth considerably more than the number suggests. Coming together with Samarawickrama after Sri Lanka had slipped to 33/4, Dilhari helped completely change the momentum of the chase.She scored 33 off 33 deliveries and remained alongside Samarawickrama throughout the crucial 67-run stand. The pair rotated the strike, ran hard and found scoring opportunities behind the square when Pakistan successfully shut down shots in front of the wicket.Dilhari's bowling makes her threat even more interesting. She has been used as a spin option and can provide Sri Lanka with control in the middle overs taking 3 wickets in the tournament so far.Also Read- Rahul Dravid Shockingly Snubs Virat Kohli For Imran Khan In Greatest Captain List
