India, it seems, had foreseen big things from Titas Sadhu when they recalled her to the side for the high-profile Asian Games final. Sadhu herself could hardly have predicted the events that would unfold  against Sri Lanka on Monday. A sellout crowd jostling into the ground, a match-winning wonder spell, and tears all round as India clinched its gold. Perhaps, in years to come, when people recall India’s first-ever Asian Games title in the sport, Sadhu’s name will stand out above all others. 

The rookie pacer from West Bengal seized her chance to shine with a devastating opening spell and finished with dazzling figures of 4-0-6-3 to ensure the Lankans remain shackled in their scoring rate, managing just 97 for eight in 20 overs. Sadhu, who fitted in seamlessly with the greatest exponents of the speeding ball, found an able ally in leg-spinner Devika Vaidya (4-0-15-1). On a pitch rather difficult for batting, the Indian pace arsenal, enhanced by two-pronged annihilating artillery, led Lankan batters to accept their defeat long before the final ball of the game was bowled.