Asian Games 2026 Day 12: India Reach Cricket Final, Nitesh Kumar Makes History

India enjoyed a strong Day 12 at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, with the men’s cricket team reaching the gold-medal match, Nitesh Kumar making history in Greco-Roman wrestling and medals coming in archery, sailing, squash and sepaktakraw.

India will face Pakistan in the men’s cricket final, while Nitesh became the first Indian Greco-Roman wrestler since 1962 to reach an Asian Games final.

Cricket: India Storm Into Gold-Medal Match

India defeated Sri Lanka by 124 runs in the men’s semi-final to book their place in the final against Pakistan.

Ishan Kishan led the batting with an unbeaten 80 off 46 balls, while Vaibhav Sooryavanshi added 38 off 21 balls as India posted 169/7.

Sri Lanka were bowled out for just 45, with Jasprit Bumrah, Abhishek Sharma and Axar Patel taking two wickets each. Three Sri Lankan batters were also run out.

Squash: Indian Women Secure Bronze

India’s women’s squash team secured a bronze medal after losing 2-1 to Hong Kong China in the semi-finals.

Anahat Singh lost to Chan Sin Yuk, before Tanvi Khanna levelled the tie with a 3-1 victory over Lee Ka Yi.

Joshna Chinappa then lost the deciding match to Ho Tze Lok, sending Hong Kong China into the final.

Wrestling: Nitesh Kumar Reaches Final

Nitesh Kumar defeated Mongolia’s Gankhuyag Ganbaatar 9-0 by technical superiority in the Greco-Roman 97kg semi-final.

He became the first Indian Greco-Roman wrestler to reach an Asian Games final since 1962.

Nitesh will now fight for gold. India have not won a Greco-Roman wrestling gold medal at the Asian Games since 1962.

Mansi Ahlawat also reached the women’s 62kg semi-final but lost 6-0 to Japan’s Nonoka Ozaki. She will compete for bronze.

Archery: Ganesh Wins Bronze

Ganesh Mani Ratnam Thirumuru won bronze in the men’s compound individual event.

He defeated Vietnam’s Dang Cong Duc 149-144 in the bronze-medal match after losing his semi-final to South Korea’s Kim Jongho.

India finished the compound archery competition with three gold medals from the team events and one bronze in the individual competition.

Sailing: India Win Silver

Manu Francis and Prince Kurisinkal Noble won silver in the men’s skiff event with 23 net points.

The Indian pair climbed from fourth to second after a strong performance in the final race.

Sepaktakraw: India Assure Medal

India’s men’s quadrant team reached the semi-finals after completing an unbeaten group-stage campaign.

India beat Myanmar 2-1 in their final group match, assuring themselves of a medal.

Other India Results

• Judo: Yamini Mourya missed out on the bronze-medal bout after losing in the repechage. Inunganbi Takhellambam remained in bronze-medal contention in the 70kg category.
• Shooting: Anish Bhanwala finished seventh in the 25m rapid fire pistol final.
• Volleyball: India lost 3-0 to Pakistan in the men’s quarter-finals.
• Tennis: Sumit Nagal lost to China’s Wu Yibing in the quarter-finals, ending India’s campaign without a medal.
• Rugby Sevens: India women lost 33-7 to Hong Kong China in their opening match.
• Golf: Pranavi Urs was second after two rounds of women’s individual stroke play.
• Canoe Slalom: Shikha Chouhan finished seventh in the women’s kayak single final.
• Taekwondo: Rupa Bayor finished fifth in her semi-final and missed the final.
• Archery: Chikitha Taniparthi lost in the women’s compound individual quarter-final

India’s Medal Tally After Day 12

India are eighth in the Asian Games 2026 medal standings after Day 12, with 63 medals in total — 10 gold, 22 silver and 31 bronze.