India is the only Asian team to have made it to the semifinals or beyond at the last three ICC Women’s T20 World Cups. In all the editions of Women’s Asia Cup, only once has India not won the title. As seven-time champions of the continental event, including the most recent one in 2022, it is only obvious that they start favourites for the gold medal at the Asian Games in Hangzhou.

But Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana and Co must be wary of the gap closing between them and their closest rivals in Asia. More so in the T20 format, says former India captain Mithali Raj.

“I have been following the progress of the Sri Lankan and Pakistan teams. Both have won against very good sides like England, New Zealand and South Africa,” Mithali told The Indian Express. “They are coming into the Asian Games on a high after good series. Bangladesh too have done very well against India. We are favourites, but I look at this Asian Games as being very competitive.”