No feeling bigger than seeing tri-colour go up: Shafali Verma

Nisshin: Indian women's cricket team opener Shafali Verma on Tuesday said there is no feeling bigger than seeing the national flag go up as she celebrated becoming an Asian Games gold-medallist for a second successive time here on Tuesday.

The Harmanpreet Kaur-led Indian team defeated Sri Lanka by 147 runs in the final to finish on top and reaffirm its continental dominance.

"We play to ensure that our flag flies high. There is no bigger feeling than this," Verma said after the triumph.


Verma had a starring all-round role in Tuesday's win, scoring a 29-ball 48 and snaring two wickets for just three runs in her two overs as Sri Lanka folded for 69 in pursuit of 217.

Verma revealed that the team will go out for a dinner to celebrate the triumph.

"Our target was to see the national flag being raised and I am so happy...We will have a team dinner to celebrate with each other. We will celebrate with family after reaching home," she said.

The women's team did not stay close to the rest of the Indian contingent like the previous edition as the ongoing Games' organisers decided against a traditional athletes village. The contingents have instead been housed at container-style huts and a docked cruise ship along with hotels. The women's cricket ream was lodged at a hotel.

"We were closer to the Village last time, not this time so couldn't meet anyone but I wish all the athletes the best of luck," Verma said when asked about the experience.