India have secured a place in the men’s cricket gold medal match at the 2026 Asian Games after registering a 124 run victory over Sri Lanka in the semifinal at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Japan.
India, the defending Asian Games champions, were put into bat after Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to field. The Indian team posted 169 for 7 in their allotted 20 overs, setting Sri Lanka a target of 170. Ishan Kishan played the key innings for India, remaining unbeaten on 80 from 46 balls. His innings included four fours and five sixes.
Young batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi also made an important contribution at the top of the order. The 15 year old scored 38 runs from 21 balls, including six fours and two sixes. His quick scoring helped India build momentum during the first part of the innings.
India lost wickets at regular intervals during the middle overs, but Kishan stayed at the crease and ensured that the team finished with a competitive total. Abhishek Sharma scored seven from three balls, while Sanju Samson made seven and Shreyas Iyer contributed 13. Axar Patel, Tilak Varma and Shivam Dube also added runs before India completed their 20 overs at 169 for 7.
Sri Lanka needed 170 runs to reach the final, but their chase quickly fell apart. Jasprit Bumrah made an immediate impact with two wickets early in the innings, putting Sri Lanka under pressure from the beginning. The Sri Lankan batting lineup struggled to establish a partnership and eventually collapsed for 45 runs in just 9.5 overs.
Bumrah finished with two wickets, while Axar Patel and Abhishek Sharma also claimed two wickets each. Washington Sundar took one wicket as India’s bowlers completed a comprehensive performance. Sri Lanka lost all 10 wickets for just 45 runs, giving India a 124 run victory.
The result takes India into the Asian Games men’s cricket final, where the team will meet Pakistan for the gold medal. Pakistan secured its place in the final by defeating Bangladesh by six wickets in the other semifinal. The India Pakistan gold medal match is scheduled for Saturday, October 3, at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin.
The final will be the first India Pakistan meeting in the men’s cricket competition at the Asian Games. Both teams have already secured medals by reaching the final, with the October 3 match determining whether India or Pakistan takes the gold medal and which team receives silver.
India entered the tournament as the defending men’s cricket champions. The team won the gold medal at the previous Asian Games after cricket was included in the Hangzhou edition. India will now have an opportunity to retain the title in the 2026 competition.
The semifinal victory also underlined the contribution of several players rather than relying on one individual performance. Kishan’s unbeaten 80 provided the main batting contribution, while Sooryavanshi gave India an aggressive start. The bowling attack then restricted Sri Lanka to one of the lowest totals in the tournament.
Kishan’s innings was particularly important because India had lost several wickets during the middle overs. His ability to remain unbeaten allowed India to reach 169, a total that proved more than sufficient once the Indian bowlers began Sri Lanka’s chase.
The performance of Sooryavanshi also attracted attention. The teenage batter scored 38 from 21 deliveries and played an attacking role at the start of India’s innings. His contribution helped India maintain a strong scoring rate despite wickets falling at regular intervals.
At the other end, Sri Lanka struggled against India’s bowling attack. The opening exchanges produced wickets quickly, and the pressure continued throughout the innings. Sri Lanka were eventually dismissed before completing 10 overs, ending their challenge at 45.
The 124 run margin is significant in the context of the semifinal because India defended a total of 169 without allowing Sri Lanka to build a substantial partnership. The bowlers consistently created pressure, while the fielding unit supported the effort.
India’s qualification also sets up a notable final because of the history between the two cricket teams. However, the October 3 match will ultimately be decided by the performances on the field, with the gold medal at stake for both sides.
The final is scheduled to begin at 1:30 PM local time in Japan, according to reports. India and Pakistan will enter the match after winning their respective semifinals.
India’s men’s team will now have two days to prepare for the final following the semifinal victory. The coaching and support staff will assess the players before deciding the combination for the gold medal match.
For India, the immediate focus will be on completing the campaign with another strong performance after the comprehensive semifinal result. A victory would allow the team to retain the Asian Games men’s cricket gold medal, while Pakistan will be competing for the title after reaching the final by defeating Bangladesh.
India’s women’s cricket team had already won the gold medal earlier in the 2026 Asian Games. The women’s team defeated Sri Lanka in the final, meaning India has already secured one cricket gold medal at the current Games. The men’s final against Pakistan now provides another opportunity for India to add a second cricket gold medal to its overall Asian Games tally.
The men’s semifinal has therefore set up one of the most closely watched cricket matches of the remaining Asian Games schedule. India’s 124 run win over Sri Lanka has confirmed the finalists, with India and Pakistan scheduled to meet for the men’s cricket gold medal on October 3.
India’s route to the final has been built on contributions from both its batting and bowling units. Kishan’s unbeaten 80 and Sooryavanshi’s 38 established the platform, while Bumrah, Axar Patel and Abhishek Sharma led the bowling effort that dismissed Sri Lanka for just 45.
The gold medal match will now determine the final outcome of the men’s cricket competition at the 2026 Asian Games.
