Asian Games 2026: India Beat Sri Lanka to Set Up Gold Medal Clash With Pakistan
India stormed into the Asian Games cricket final after beating Sri Lanka by 124 runs, with Ishan Kishan’s unbeaten knock and a dominant bowling display setting up a clash with Pakistan.
India stormed into the men’s cricket final at the Asian Games after crushing Sri Lanka by 124 runs at the Korogi Sports Club in Nisshin. The victory set up a gold medal clash with Pakistan, who defeated Bangladesh by six wickets in the other semi-final.
India posted 169 for 7 after recovering from an early wobble. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi provided attacking momentum with 38 off 21 balls, while Ishan Kishan anchored the innings with an unbeaten 70 off 42 balls, including four fours and four sixes.
Sri Lanka’s chase quickly turned into a nightmare. Jasprit Bumrah struck twice in the opening over, reducing them to 1 for 2, while Axar Patel added further pressure with crucial wickets. India’s fielding also kept the collapse going, with three Sri Lankan batters dismissed through run-outs.
Sri Lanka were eventually bowled out for just 45 in 9.5 overs. Nuwanidu Fernando offered brief resistance with 15, but India’s bowling attack never allowed a meaningful partnership to develop.
By the end, the contest had become less of a chase and more of a very short appointment with the scoreboard. India’s emphatic win now puts them into a high-profile final against Pakistan, with the gold medal at stake.
